Film
What's on at the cinema plus reviews of the latest movie and DVD releases
American Cousins (2002)
Director: Donald Coutts
Movie review
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
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
Most popular on this site
Top Stories
Stephen Poliakoff discusses 'Glorious 39'
Stephen Poliakoff’s ‘Glorious 39’ is his first film for cinema since ‘Food of Love’ in 1997. Dave Calhoun met him
Is 'Paranormal Activity' the new 'Blair Witch'?
How does a film go from DIY experiment to box-office smash? 'Paranormal Activity' director Oren Peli explains
Steven Soderbergh on 'The Informant!' and 'The Girlfriend Experience'
We talk to Steven Soderbergh about his two forthcoming films: one featuring a porn star, the other a chubby Matt Damon
A gateway to all things 'New Moon'
In anticipation of 'The Twilight Saga: New Moon', Time Out is offering the chance to pick up a limited edition pack with three exclusive magazines and a free poster.
London Children's Film Festival
Read our exclusive reviews of films playing at the 2009 London Children’s Film Festival
The films that deserve a TV spin-off
With Roland Emmerich suggesting he'd like to make a '2012' TV spin-off, we propose some more movie-to-TV serialisations
The Coen brothers discuss 'A Serious Man'
Masters of contrary comedy, Joel and Ethan Coen have struck gold again with their latest, ‘A Serious Man’
Michael Haneke discusses 'The White Ribbon'
Dave Calhoun met with Michael Haneke in Munich to mull over the details of his Palme d'Or winner, 'The White Ribbon'
Ten inspirations behind 'Avatar'?
Time Out ponders the influences behind James Cameron's anticipated space-opera on the basis of the trailer
Time Out's 50 greatest animated films with commentary by Terry Gilliam
In celebration of the release of Pixar's 'Up' and Wes Anderson's 'Fantastic Mr Fox', read our rundown of fifty classic feature length animations












What do you think?
Post your review now