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Three And Out (2007)

Director: Jonathan Gershfield

Time Out rating

Average user rating

28 reviews

Movie review

From Time Out London

Having one passenger fall under his train makes distracted driver Paul Callow (Mackenzie Crook) look unfortunate, but by the second accident in under a month he starts to appear distinctly careless. Paul is played by the fish-eyed, sad-sack actor Mackenzie Crook, so he already looks miserable, but he cheers up considerably when work colleague, Ash (Rhashan Stone) informs him of the hush-hush ‘three and out’ rule – three deaths in one month and you get paid off. So, impecunious, aspirant writer Paul hatches a plan to scour London for a volunteer suicide and chances upon – as you do – Colm Meaney’s desperate Tommy who is about to jump off Holborn Viaduct…

It was only a matter of time before ‘The Office’ star Crook was offered a lead in a Brit-com; but first-time director Jonathan Gershfield has a hard time harnessing his talents. In ‘Three and Out’s’ implausible, over-familiar and poorly written (by Steve Lewis and Tony Owen) early scenes, he offers a low-key presence – somewhere between hapless innocent, frightened rabbit and presumptuous fool. But things start to improve – slightly – as the movie develops into a more orthodox buddy movie and he’s shouldered out of the way by Meaney’s bolshier turn as repentant carouser, Tommy.

There are minor shades of ‘Withnail & I’ – as the mismatched pair head to the Lake District in a vintage Merc to facilitate Tommy’s dying wish to touch base with spikey, abandoned ex, Rosemary (Imelda Staunton) and daughter, Frankie (Gemma Arterton) – but it’s too gauche, too derivative and merely sporadically amusing.

Author: Wally Hammond

Time Out London Issue 1966 April 24-30, 2008

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User reviews of this film

Yvonne said...

Posted on Mar 27 2009 12:12 Well I thoroughly enjoyed this offering and well done to Mackenzie Crook, whom I had suspected was a one-trick pony after The Office, but pleasantly surprised me with his portrayal of this rather complex character. A dark beginning, amusing middle section, and dark ending, made for an interesting and, dare I say it, almost original movie.

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mistabond said...

Posted on Mar 20 2009 01:38 just watched this movie on sky thought it was very good,excellent cast and performances from all concerned,but i will say only watched it because there was nothing else on at time but glad I did very enjoyable.shocked to see how badly it has been recieved.

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Beanz said...

Posted on Nov 03 2008 03:37 I thought it started off quite promisingly, but after 30 mins or so, it slows down to a grinding halt much like a train at a station. My girlfriend and I were tempted to switch off, and had Makenzie been an unknown actor, we probably would have. Giving him the benifit of the doubt was a BIG mistake. It's a steaming pile of horse shit.

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moreteavicar said...

Posted on Oct 05 2008 18:25 Don't be put off by the zany poster - much more than a daft bad-taste slapstick comedy. Some good performances esp Imelda S and interesting commentary on how we try to live meaningfully. Liked the Withnail references. + Finally something approaching a realistic portrayal of London on the big screen!

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Wilox said...

Posted on May 09 2008 14:31 Ps. Anyone making positive comments about this film must either a) have never been to cinema before and so been wowed by the bright lights, or b) be a friend/relative of one of the actors.

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Wilox said...

Posted on May 09 2008 14:29 Absolute fucking garbage from start to finish

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Brett Johnson said...

Posted on May 07 2008 23:51 People are weird. I really liked this film. What's the big problem. Best Brit flick in ages apart from Bond

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Holly Wells said...

Posted on May 07 2008 23:49 I loved this film. London Underground regularly make me late for work and strike every bank holiday over pay. This is just one more bandwagon to jump on. The guy under the train thing makes up like 1% of the movie! Go and see it. The actors are really good in it. The story is moving!

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James Wren said...

Posted on May 07 2008 23:46 People expect too much from Britsh FIlms. Tiny country,not much output, too much critical attention.If we could break a few more eggs then flicks like this would stand a better chance. It's trying too hard to be SUCCESSFUL instead of just trying to be a good movie.It's good in places, great actors but some of it is also piss poor. See it anyway. Most of you went to see the Star Wars Prequels so stop gobbing off about bad films!

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Fish teeth said...

Posted on May 05 2008 14:52 FISH TEETH ... UTTER FISH TEETH ... DONT .... WATCH...THIS....MOVIE...FISH TEETH I SAY!!!

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stewmacher said...

Posted on May 05 2008 14:47 We walked near the end, couldnt take another second, RUBBISH! save your cash for Indiana jones!!

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Steve said...

Posted on May 03 2008 14:24 Is this what British Cinema has come to? Don't waste you money. It's crap.

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Sane one said...

Posted on May 01 2008 21:14 I walked out after 30 minutes, its total rubbish.

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hermannnnnnns mummy said...

Posted on May 01 2008 07:32 No you cant, its too expensive. Have a packet of spangles instead.

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hermannnnnnn said...

Posted on May 01 2008 07:30 Mummy, can we have popcorn please?

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