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American Cousins (2002)

Director: Donald Coutts

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From Time Out Film Guide

New Jersey mobsters Settimo (Hedaya) and Gino (Nucci) land in Glasgow fleeing scary Ukrainian villains after a skewed deal. They find refuge under the roof of distant relative Roberto (Lepkowski), a mild Scots Italian chip-shop owner unaware of their shady past. It's no challenge to predict developments in this culture clash comedy, with the slick Yanks taking time to appreciate their steadfast, law-abiding hosts, American can-do attitudes rubbing off on the Scots, and demure-but-passionate chippy assistant Alice (Henderson) seeing her romantic options extend beyond her tongue-tied boss. Since the screenplay delivers everything you'd expect, more or less in the order you'd expect it, the film should be a redundant exercise. Actually, it only goes to show that likeable performances and the odd amusing set piece (a fish-frying competition, the horrors of Scottish country dancing) can, in the right circumstances, prove winning. A micro-budget, modestly cast piece of unpretentious entertainment.

Author: TJ 0000-00-00 00:00:00

Time Out Film Guide

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Cast & crew

Director: Donald Coutts

Producer: Margaret Matheson

Cast: Danny Nucci, Shirley Henderson, Gerald Lepkowski, Vincent Pastore, Dan Hedaya, Russell Hunter, Stevan Rimkus, Stephen Graham, Jake Abraham, Alan McQueen full cast

Duration: 93 mins


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