Film

What's on at the cinema plus reviews of the latest movie and DVD releases

Updates:

The Cottage (2008)

Director: Paul Andrew Williams

Time Out rating

Average user rating

36 reviews

Movie review

From Time Out London

Writer-director Paul Andrew Williams’ follow-up to ‘London to Brighton’ is, by his own admission, a film of two halves: the trouble is, neither of them works. It begins as a comedy crime caper: the bossy David (Andy Serkis) and his wimpy brother, Peter (Reece Shearsmith) kidnap a gangster’s foul-mouthed daughter, Tracey (Jennifer Ellison), but bite off more than they can chew.

Things take a violent swerve when this sorry trio, Tracey’s dopey step-brother Andrew (Steven O’Donnell) and a pair of stereotypical Chinese hitmen fall foul of The Farmer, a hideously scarred psycho with a ready supply of agricultural implements. Guts are spilled, toes are amputated, a leg is pick-axed and everyone loses their head – one of them, literally.

Andy Serkis shouts a lot, as if raising the decibel level will compensate for the dire dialogue, while Jennifer Ellison displays more cleavage than acting ability. Only ‘League of Gentleman’ alumnus Shearsmith has the measure of the material, but his subtle character work is simply drowned out. A jaunty, nerve-grating score by Laura Rossi embodies the air of forced, empty jokiness.

Author: Nigel Floyd 2008-03-11 11:07:52

Time Out London 1960 March 12 - 18

Bookmark

User reviews of this film

cloo said...

Posted on Mar 16 2008 19:54 The film was terrible. That Jen E give british actors a bad name i was glad when she was killed off!

Report as inappropriate
Harry said...

Posted on Mar 16 2008 12:07 Marvellous film... a triumph of directorial skill. Williams brings out the subtle strengths of his characters in a way that underpins the subliminal, anti-war undertones of the storyline. Arguably the film of the decade, to date?

Report as inappropriate
Patchworker said...

Posted on Mar 15 2008 20:59 Although this is the first film I've seen in a while, I found it thoroughly entertaining, and hilarious at times. I reject the idea of misogyny; the female lead has by far the strongest personality. I wish she'd kept her head (so to speak), as she could have taken on the mad farmer. The dialogue between the brothers was excellent. Immature? Maybe, but what's wrong with that? See it if you can stand moderate gore.

Report as inappropriate
jami said...

Posted on Mar 15 2008 16:05 absolutly amazing film, williams has amde an awsome film, really enjoyful

Report as inappropriate
Patrick said...

Posted on Mar 14 2008 19:25 Apalling. Williams blows all the good will his excellent debut generated. Immature, terribly written and with a very nasty misogynist streak. The previous comment must have been written by a mate - this film is so bad even his mother would hate it. Avoid at all costs.

Report as inappropriate
Deborah said...

Posted on Mar 11 2008 12:51 'The Cottage' is a great comedy-horror film, full of twists and turns - an exhilarating 90 minutes, but one that anchors the splatter comedy to deftly drawn characters enduring a heightened reality one hell of a night.
It takes an unusual approach for a gore infested horror film (the director skillfully plays with the conventions of blood spattered horror in that there is often a darkly comic twist to the gore) because there is so much emotional investment in the main characters. Its this which makes the film stand out. 'The Cottage' has an emotional depth that makes you really care about what happens to them, especially the two brothers.
The relationship between the brothers, brilliantly played by Andy Serkis and Reece Shearsmith, is a very important part of the story and their scenes together are one of the film's highlights. Their fraught fraternal relationship has a believability about it which grabs you from the moment they appear on screen & the scenes between them crackle with tension, humour and emotion.
The four leads are excellent but Reece Shearsmith is truly outstanding - a very funny, likable performance - by turns wimpish, pernickety, argumentative, pathetic, vulnerable, almost tragic character. His performance really holds the film together - it's brilliantly subtle and multi-layered. He brings so much to the role, not only comedically but emotionally too.
'The Cottage' is a very entertaining blending of comedy and horror with a depth not usually associated with the genre. You care about the characters and the circumstances that have brought them together. Much of the comedy comes from the dynamics of their relationship and how they react to the ever worsening situation they find themselves thrust into.
It goes without saying that the film is brilliantly directed with a great script that puts character at the centre of it all, around which the comedy and the horror unfold naturally with beautiful pace and precision.
There is a sense of sadness in the midst of the horrific fun of 'The Cottage' which lingers in the memory afterwards because in the end its characters matter. A rarity for the horror genre which marks the film as a superb piece of film making - an unusual story, original approach, great atmosphere, very bloody and very funny, top notch performances by the two leads, especially a superb Reece Shearsmith. Its a comedy horror whose genre blending works a memorable treat!

Report as inappropriate