Directed by
Ian Fitzgibbon
89 minutes
Rated MA
Reviewed by
Sharon Hurst
Film With Me In It, A
Synopsis: Mark (Mark Doherty) is a struggling actor whose girlfriend Sally (Amy Huberman) is about to walk out on him. His flat is a disaster area – wobbly light-fittings, windows that crashing down, door handles falling off and the grumpy landlord Jack (Kevin Allen) is disinclined to make repairs because of overdue rent. Mark shares the dream of writing a career-making film with his best mate and neighbour Pierce (Dylan Moran). But then some pretty bizarre accidents start happening and the lives of both blokes run really off the rails.This is one of the first laugh-out loud films I’ve seen in a long time. It’s best not to reveal the nature of any of the accidents that occur – surprise value is of the essence in a film of this nature but suffice it to say that that black comedy and farce are delivered with superb timing and some excellent dialogue. What starts off as a seemingly ordinary story about a pair of no-hopers soon descends into a dire situation, which on the one hand is deadly serious, but in terms of this film, hilarious. Added to the mix is Mark’s quadriplegic brother, David (David O’Doherty, Mark’s real-life brother), and though this is not normally fodder for humour, the guy is very funny without doing much.
Dylan Moran is a much-lauded British comedian and his character, Pierce, is both funny and infuriating, but it’s the way the two leads bounce off each other that really works in a comedic sense. Mark is also infuriating, but in an endearing way, and as he grapples with the scenario that unfolds around him we really feel for him. Pierce’s idiotic solutions to their dilemma and his attempt to write a “plot” to go with the bizarre events, make this in some ways a film within a film, and the surprise ending plays more with this concept.
In many ways the less said about A Film With Me In It, the better, but take note a couple of terrific surprise cameos by unexpected people such as director Neil Jordan and actor Jonathan Rhys Meyer. Oh, and watch out for the dog – its appearances really marked some high points for me, which shows what a sick puppy I am!
Want more about this film?
Want something different?
