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Lucky Break
2001
Small time villains Jimmy and Rudy are caught doing a bank raid and are put in HM Prison Long Rudford. Whilst there they hatch an escape plan which involves them staging the prison governor's musical 'Nelson'. But events take a turn for the worst when Jimmy falls in love with his co-star, support officer, Annabel Sweep... Read more
| Starring | James Nesbitt, Timothy Spall, Olivia Williams, Christopher Plummer |
|---|---|
| Director | Peter Cattaneo |
| Genres | Audio Descriptive, Comedy |
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Critics' reviews (3)
View all -
It took director Peter Cattaneo four years to follow up The Full Monty, and he chose his next project wisely. On the surface, this prison comedy has much in common with the earlier film — a group of men bonding through showbiz (here, they stage a prison musical as cover for an escape) — but this is more of a character study than a social satire. With Cold Feet's James Nesbitt, Snatch's Lennie James, Timothy Spall, Bill Nighy and Christopher Plummer as an artistically inclined governor, it's brilliantly cast. And, although the idea of the climactic amateur show acts as a magnet for great farce moments, it's the more subtle relationships between the cons that give the film its depth (Spall's story is especially moving, and even the statutory sadistic screw, played by Ron Cook, is given motivation). For Lucky Break's dramatic strengths, we must applaud writer Ronan Bennett, better known for straight drama, including Face and the BBC's Rebel Heart. It's very funny, too, owing a lot to Porridge, and proof that Cattaneo is a natural with actors. Newcomer Julian Barratt (from comedy duo the Boosh) is especially good as a drama tutor. Not quite as “of its time” as The Full Monty (which marked the sense of optimism of 1997), but this is still a fine film.
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"...Amiably engaging....Nesbitt makes a fine leading man....Lightly reflective and consistently entertaining..."
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Slight, predictable comedy with a little charm and too much reliance on familiar stereotypes.
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Most helpful members' reviews (3)
View all -
6 out of 6 people found this review helpful
Have to disagree with Sam Hammond !
I was nearly put off this film by Sam's criticism, but I thoroughly enjoyed it, so I feel that I must give another point of view.
I liked the film and think that Nicole Kidman is great in it. I'm not all that easily pleased by films, but this one is perfectly enjoyable - not at all disappointing ! -
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful
An entertaining movie
Don't try and compare this movie with 'The Full Monty', it's in a league of its own.
This is James Nesbit's first lead role and I think anything with James Nesbit in it is well worth watching. You even get to hear him sing! The all star cast is excellent too!!
The story is a mixture of the great escape and a love story. There are some dark, sad moments and some light and frothy moments in it too so it may not be to everybody's taste.
The commentary is interesting to listen to and if you've never tried watching a movie with the Audio Description (AD) then give this a go. It often described things I would have missed!
If you want a movie just to chill out to which doesn't take much in the way of brain power than this is the one for you! -
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful
good pleasant film
It starts off with an inept bank robbery that goes pear shaped and both are sent to prison. It then pans out into an escape movie come romance. James Nesbit is excellent along with a host of familar british actors.
A pleasent night in -
Most recent members' reviews (2)
View all -
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful
good pleasant film
It starts off with an inept bank robbery that goes pear shaped and both are sent to prison. It then pans out into an escape movie come romance. James Nesbit is excellent along with a host of familar british actors.
A pleasent night in -
What a pitty
I usually like C4 films. Generally think they are Okay but, this one is not that great. Not diabolical thankfully but it is dull. A dull storyline, that boy meets girl thing can get a bit boring. The story centres around an escape plan, from prison, while setting up and doing a musical - of all things. So, you do suffer a little bit of cringe worthy lyrics that musical never fail to provide. You have to have a power hungry prison warden, no prison drama, comedy, film is complete without one. All the usual charactors you'll find in this eays going but fearly tedious film. There are parts in it that try to be funny but, never actually made me laugh although I did appriciate the light hearted mood the film portrayed throughout. Yes, it's an ok-ish sought of film if you're stuck for something to watch but, if you have a list of better films to watch then, hold off in this one until you're a little desparate.
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6 out of 6 people found this review helpful
Have to disagree with Sam Hammond !
I was nearly put off this film by Sam's criticism, but I thoroughly enjoyed it, so I feel that I must give another point of view.
I liked the film and think that Nicole Kidman is great in it. I'm not all that easily pleased by films, but this one is perfectly enjoyable - not at all disappointing ! -
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful
An entertaining movie
Don't try and compare this movie with 'The Full Monty', it's in a league of its own.
This is James Nesbit's first lead role and I think anything with James Nesbit in it is well worth watching. You even get to hear him sing! The all star cast is excellent too!!
The story is a mixture of the great escape and a love story. There are some dark, sad moments and some light and frothy moments in it too so it may not be to everybody's taste.
The commentary is interesting to listen to and if you've never tried watching a movie with the Audio Description (AD) then give this a go. It often described things I would have missed!
If you want a movie just to chill out to which doesn't take much in the way of brain power than this is the one for you! -
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful
good pleasant film
It starts off with an inept bank robbery that goes pear shaped and both are sent to prison. It then pans out into an escape movie come romance. James Nesbit is excellent along with a host of familar british actors.
A pleasent night in -
Birthday Girl
An excellent yarn with superb acting - very enjoyable
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Hhmmm Nicole...
Not actually that bad a film. Was genuinly surprised by bits and Nicole with a Russian accent oozes sex appeal.
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Excellent Commedy
xxcellent commedy with a bit of drama, plenty of effects for the surround sound enthusiast.
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Very good
A well-made film; witty but also with some real pathos from the fabulous Timothy Spall. A superb cast-list that does not disappoint. It's not remarkable or classic; but it is a good story well acted and well directed and which satisfies on several levels.
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good c4 film
a channel 4 film - good english actors, funny story. worth watching - the beginning is so funny.
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2 out of 4 people found this review helpful
[Highly rated reviewer]
Prison Blues
Here's a wonderful piece of video box nonsense - 'From the director of "The Full Monty" comes "Lucky Break," a comedy about a prison escape with a musical twist.'
The twist is that this film is The Full Monty wearing Porridge's cast-offs.
Lets review - which of these films is about a group of men in difficult circumstances who find redemption and fulfilment through collective musical endeavour? Answer - both of them.
Where The Full Monty had novelty and narrative cohesion Lucky Break has a prison setting that makes Porridge look like cinema verité, a scenario that constantly struggles with coherence and the unlovely sight of some of Britain’s best character actors (and I do not include the gurning, plastic James Nesbitt in that group) wading through a dreadful script looking lost.
Director Peter Cattaneo handles this picture with all the aplomb of a sixth former orchestrating the annual Christmas Review.
Lumpy and unlovely the film has very little to recommend it. -
2 out of 4 people found this review helpful
Comic capers
Shades of grey abound in this mildly funny comedy with some unexpected grittier touches.
James Nesbitt doesn't quite deliver on his first starring role, but Timothy Spall provides ample consolation in his sensitive performance.
Critics' reviews (3)
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It took director Peter Cattaneo four years to follow up The Full Monty, and he chose his next project wisely. On the surface, this prison comedy has much in common with the earlier film — a group of men bonding through showbiz (here, they stage a prison musical as cover for an escape) — but this is more of a character study than a social satire. With Cold Feet's James Nesbitt, Snatch's Lennie James, Timothy Spall, Bill Nighy and Christopher Plummer as an artistically inclined governor, it's brilliantly cast. And, although the idea of the climactic amateur show acts as a magnet for great farce moments, it's the more subtle relationships between the cons that give the film its depth (Spall's story is especially moving, and even the statutory sadistic screw, played by Ron Cook, is given motivation). For Lucky Break's dramatic strengths, we must applaud writer Ronan Bennett, better known for straight drama, including Face and the BBC's Rebel Heart. It's very funny, too, owing a lot to Porridge, and proof that Cattaneo is a natural with actors. Newcomer Julian Barratt (from comedy duo the Boosh) is especially good as a drama tutor. Not quite as “of its time” as The Full Monty (which marked the sense of optimism of 1997), but this is still a fine film.
-
"...Amiably engaging....Nesbitt makes a fine leading man....Lightly reflective and consistently entertaining..."
-
Slight, predictable comedy with a little charm and too much reliance on familiar stereotypes.
Buy from the LOVEFiLM shop
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- Lucky Break
- DVD: £11.93
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Small time villains Jimmy and Rudy are caught doing a bank raid and are put in HM Prison Long Rudford. Whilst there they hatch an escape plan which involves them staging the prison governor's musical ... -
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