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The All Together (2007)

Director: Gavin Claxton

Time Out rating

Average user rating

4 reviews

Movie review

From Time Out London

The news that this tawdry British caper comedy was made with an ultra-low budget is more of a relief than a cause for celebration as it comes across like a protracted and painfully unfunny homage to the Marx Brothers sketch from ‘A Night At The Opera’ in which Groucho persists in inviting people into his already-cramped cabin. As misanthropic TV producer Charlie, Martin Freeman reassumes all the tics that won him an army of fans in ‘The Office’ while Danny Dyer pops up playing, well, Danny Dyer, confirming that he wouldn’t know a good script if it struck him over the head with a pool cue. The few laughs come care of Velibor Topic as wacky Bosnian housemate Bob, who harbours a penchant for combining taxidermy and pornography (you do the math). Yet writer-director Gavin Claxton’s grasp on reality is non-existent, with every set-up shrouded in an air of implausibility despite copious amounts of ironic winking to the camera. The monumentally ludicrous conclusion only serves to emphasise what a poorly developed and resiliently stupid piece of work this is.

Author: David Jenkins

Time Out London Issue 1916: May 9-15 2007

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User reviews of this film

Andy Powney said...

Posted on Dec 13 2010 23:04 Great film Gav, dont listen to the negatives. More slapstick required though a la l&h. Good to see you doing well.

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Gravesend Joe said...

Posted on Nov 14 2010 17:03 Jenkins is spot on. The Marx Bros film is obviously a direct inspiration, and this film is utter garbage. Seems as if Claxton is under the impression that his movie is a witty, self-reflexive comedy. But it's irredeemably bad, encapsulating the worst of modern British cinema.

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claire said...

Posted on Jul 26 2010 11:00 One of my favourite films, achingly funny; gavin claxton and I have the same sense of humour. poor david jenkins, i would love to know what his favourite comedy is x

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Aghast of Ealing said...

Posted on Jun 13 2009 09:40 Erm, this is a FARCE. For those not familiar with the genre (which would seem to include David Jenkins), this is a classic British farce. Part of the joy is seeing Danny Dyer poking fun at himself and the style of film he usually makes. Yes, it's tongue in cheek but that is how it is meant to be. There are certainly some laugh out loud moments if you can only allow yourself to let go and understand this is not an attempt at great art. It's certainly not an homage to the Marx Brothers - where did that idea spring from?
Classic British farce is difficult to get right - to be knowing but not overly so, to be ludicrous and poke fun at itself without having a joke at the audience's expense. This film manages to achieve this in spades.

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