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DVDs
Plunkett and Macleane
 By
Richard Moore
In
the 18th Century, the phrase "Stand and Deliver" would
send shivers up the spine of weary travellers.
Their
coaches would be dragged to a halt, throwing bodies, pressies and
wigs all around the show, and then some swine with a hideous Scouse
accent would murder the English language while pointing a flintlock
pistol at them.
At
the end of it all, the travellers - now wide awake - would have
lost their money, jewellery and any respect they had for mankind
in general and highwaymen in particular.
It
wasn't all beer and skittles for the robbers, though, and even the
best of them - like Dick Turpin - found himself swinging from a
gallows doing the Tyburn jig.
The
trials and tribulations of being a highwayman have never been better
presented than the movie Plunkett and Macleane, which follows
the adventures of two gentlemen of the road - Plunkett (Robert Carlyle)
and Macleane (Jonny Lee Miller).
They
are a mismatched pair of likeable rogues who join forces out of
necessity and go on a crime spree that brings them infamy throughout
England.
They
rob the rich, and give to ... themselves ... and the adventures
they have are exciting and humourous.
In
fact, Plunkett and Macleane is one of the best movies released
over the past decade, winning points for style, action and a wicked
sense of humour.
It
looks very 18th Century but the director Jake Scott has thrown in
a very modern script and soundtrack, which will have your feet,
hands and head moving to the beat as though you are in the throes
of being hanged. Sorry, was that in excess?
Carlyle
is fantastic (gee, that's a surprise) as the lower-class brains
of the operation, while Miller is wonderful as the former soldier
turned vagabond.
The
romantic interest is Liv Tyler, but don't expect a Catherine Zeta-Jones-like
Zorro performance, the gal just ain't quite up to it.
Michael
Gambon, of Singing Detective fame, is spot-on as the pathetic
old Lord Chief Justice - but the acting honour goes to the film's
baddie, Ken Stott as the Thief-Taker General. He is truly evil and
pursues the pair with relentless malevolence.
Plunkett
and Macleane is film-making brilliance and is an absolute must
for any movie lover's collection.
Stand
and Deliver? They did for sure!
Conclusion:
Movie:
90%
Extras:
75%
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