Repeat-offender Jimmy (James Nesbitt) finds himself doing time after a botched bank job. When the prison warden (Christopher Plummer), an aspiring playwright, proposes that the prison put on a production of his musical, Jimmy and his fellow inmates plan to use the performance as a diversion while they make a get away. Things get complicated, however, when Jimmy falls for the prison's psychologist, Annabel (Olivia Williams). This entertaining black comedy carries some good acting and a marvelously understated sense of humor. The warden's musical, based on the swashbuckling life of Viscount Horatio Nelson, is about as lavish as an elementary school production, and wonderfully dreadful to boot. Although a bit slow at times, patient viewers will find themselves rewarded.
34 Reviews
Entertaining stuff!
kmccabe-1 September 2001
I don't know, maybe I'm the only person in the world who didn't enjoy The Full Monty. Perhaps there's something wrong with me, but I hated it. So when I was dragged into the cinema to see this follow-up by the same director, I went kicking and screaming. True, I knew absolutely nothing about the film, had not seen a review and sure, it starred the always funny James "Cold Feet" Nesbitt and the delectable Olivia "Rushmore" Williams, but I was determined to loathe every agonising moment.
A few minutes in, a funny things started to happen. Something odd was happening in my throat and in my chest. That sensation in my chest... that strange feeling... What was it? No, I wasn't bringing up bile. It wasn't pain; It was... it was... No, it couldn't be. It was laughter! Yes, I was laughing. The film was funny and entertaining and charming and the corny, feel good ending left me with a warn glow.
Eewwww...
A few minutes in, a funny things started to happen. Something odd was happening in my throat and in my chest. That sensation in my chest... that strange feeling... What was it? No, I wasn't bringing up bile. It wasn't pain; It was... it was... No, it couldn't be. It was laughter! Yes, I was laughing. The film was funny and entertaining and charming and the corny, feel good ending left me with a warn glow.
Eewwww...
Well, yeah, y'know, 'spose it was ok.
steventudor31 August 2001
The kind of film that does get much of a reaction from you. Some Ok laughs, some ,mildly touching moment and one very sad moment that worked so well thanks to Tim Spall's excellent performance. The acting was very good,the plot was fine, but the script lacked a little sparkle.
nice
jimK-31 September 2001
....and for one reason only, it didn't do what every single brit com, has done this year, in fact every one since i can remember has done. Whats that you ask? SHOWN EVERY SINGLE FUNNY BIT IN THE TRAILER. ok so the yanks do it a hell of a lot too but we British seem very guilty of it. anyway i've got that off my chest now so i'll continue. I went into this film with fairly low expectations, coz there were few funny bits in the trailer so i figured thats all it has to offer, and i came out with that warmish glow inside, you know that one you get when you've seen a really 'nice' film.Yes this film is nice, its one of those that makes you go awwwww, especially if you stay right to the very end of the credits, and once you have finished laughing James Nesbit's wig you'll realize this. Cattaneo has but together a superb supporting cast especially in Tim Spall and Christopher Plummer who both do superb turns. Go and see this film if you just want to see something you'll come out feeling nice after
Another winner from the director of The Full Monty!
johnnybravo50055 August 2003
Lucky break is one of those rare movies that basically went straight to DVD and one you rent if you've got a coupon from Blockbuster. Pay the $3.00 bucks and you won't be disappointed. I found the story completely original and an unpredictable but great ending.
*** out of 4
P.S Watch the ending credits.
*** out of 4
P.S Watch the ending credits.
A comedy in which the British are best at.
lingmeister21 December 2002
This type of comedy seem to be the specialty of the Britain, where it is usually situated in some dilapidated environment with its main characters in some despaired situation. They eventually overcome whatever barriers that is set upon them by their own perseverance on what and desire to do what's right.
Lucky Break is one of them, this time, in a prison setting. But with the environment given, interaction with other characters are limited, which leads to a lot of scenes that feels redundant.
The prison scenario for the film is also pretty far fetched, with it almost being a school dorm as opposed to a secured environment. It seems that if it wasn't this way, most of the interactions between characters would not be able to take place.
But the ending is what these films are all about, giving the characters who has been dragging themselves in the gutter some hope, which is what they need in their circumstance, and eventually, prevail.
Lucky Break is one of them, this time, in a prison setting. But with the environment given, interaction with other characters are limited, which leads to a lot of scenes that feels redundant.
The prison scenario for the film is also pretty far fetched, with it almost being a school dorm as opposed to a secured environment. It seems that if it wasn't this way, most of the interactions between characters would not be able to take place.
But the ending is what these films are all about, giving the characters who has been dragging themselves in the gutter some hope, which is what they need in their circumstance, and eventually, prevail.
Make sure you watch to the end of the credits.
Cylex6 September 2002
This may not be one of the best comedies but I can give you one reason for watching it. Timothy Spall. Although he's only in the film for a short time he gives a genuinely moving performance. The others had their moments but were harder to empathise with. There are a number of humorous scenes, especially when they are rehearsing the musical. The main plot is thin but I was satisfied at the end. The credits are brilliant so don't even think of switching off. 6/10
Thanks Cylex
=G=25 October 2002
"Lucky Break" is a romantic-comedy with the emphasis on comedy though it is understated and somewhat bland by Yankee standards. The flick is about a bunch of prison inmates who put together a stage musical play to appease their warden and provide cover for a prison break. The film has obvious parallels with "The Full Monty" though it is not quite as fresh or fun and the end is eminently predictable. "Lucky Break" is a fun romp, somewhat slow and a lot corny, which would be more at home on the BBC than the international commercial film market. (C+)
Note - I shut my VHS of this flick off as soon as the credits rolled. Then having read the comment of another IMDB.com user, I went back and watched the credits which overlay a sort of visual epilogue tidying up loose ends. Thanks Cylex.
Note - I shut my VHS of this flick off as soon as the credits rolled. Then having read the comment of another IMDB.com user, I went back and watched the credits which overlay a sort of visual epilogue tidying up loose ends. Thanks Cylex.
Not Funny
HairyMart4 September 2001
Calling this a comedy is like calling a pile of compost a flower garden (I was going to write something else but didn't think it would be published).
Its just isn't funny
I wasted nearly 2 hours of my life on this film ... I wish I could have had a 'Lucky Break' and missed it altogether
Its just isn't funny
- its unbelievable, - "Hello I'm a very attractive, professional woman, I'll just wander off alone with an armed robber for a romantic meal !!!",
- makes no sense "Hello I'm depressed prisoner(Timothy Spall) - the guards hate me, my wife is seeing another man, I was framed ... oops now I have cancer,,"
- and is very, very bad.
I wasted nearly 2 hours of my life on this film ... I wish I could have had a 'Lucky Break' and missed it altogether
has its flaws, but generates a warm feeling in the end
LudwA2 June 2008
Warning: Spoilers
Even though Toots and his Maytals do their best, this film is off to a weak start. The first fifteen minutes have crappy dialogue, bad jokes, the bad guy is a cliché and you realize you can already guess the ending. Hang in there though, cause this film improves while it's going. James Nesbitt plays Jimmy Hands, an amateurish bank robber. He and his mate (Lennie James) get caught and end up in jail. Obviously, there's going to be an escape attempt, as ALL prison-movies have escape attempts. The jail seems a rather cosy place, with tomato gardening and a director fond of musicals. Jimmy Hands realizes this might be his chance and convinces the director to put on a musical play about the great hero Nelson. Without female inmates the beautiful Olivia Williams (who works in jail as a rehabilitation counselor) has to play the part of the heroin. Here's where the fun starts: rehearsals, fights, and sweet off key singing, while romance is in the air.
Lucky Break is a charming little comedy, with a good cast, including the inmates Bill Nighy and Timothy Spall. 7/10 would be a bit too much for this, but it's well worth the time.
Lucky Break is a charming little comedy, with a good cast, including the inmates Bill Nighy and Timothy Spall. 7/10 would be a bit too much for this, but it's well worth the time.
it drags it's way through to the end!!
mikey_cee9 September 2001
Lucky Break in 2 words would be utter rubbish, it was not funny, in fact it had about 1 jocks worth of laughter and it was just pretty boring. This film doesnt even compare to the likes of other newer british films such as the parole officer which was great fun. Please everybody do not go and see it.
Great improbable fun
kwerner-222 October 2005
My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed this romp of nonsense. In fact, we're still singing that crazy "Four Months at Sea" song and laughing about it. Sure, it is improbable, but the actors are obviously having fun, making it such a pleasure to watch. Imagine a bunch of no-talent prisoners attempting a musical to "please" their warden (and escape)? Can they pull it off without killing themselves laughing at their ridiculousness? That's entirely debatable. The songs are catchy, the casting of the musical characters (think con-jobs) hilarious, the costumes.... well, see for yourself. This is one film we are planning to buy and keep. Just what is needed when stuck in lousy winter weather.
Predictable British Comedy
easmith032 November 2002
The pace and style reminded me of the "Full Monty", but the story didn't seem quite as satisfying.
A couple of "wanna be" bank robbers end up in an English prison, with a population of mostly decent people who are missing their lives outside of the prison. An opportunity comes along to stage a prison play, and a couple of the prisoners see an opportunity for an escape. The escape plot is complicated by a rather unlikely romance between one of the prisoners Jimmy (Nesbitt) and the only female that works in the prison, Annabell (Williams).
Olivia Williams, and Christopher Plummer gave good performances, and the movie was more interesting when they were on the screen. A decent film, but not particularly memorable.
A couple of "wanna be" bank robbers end up in an English prison, with a population of mostly decent people who are missing their lives outside of the prison. An opportunity comes along to stage a prison play, and a couple of the prisoners see an opportunity for an escape. The escape plot is complicated by a rather unlikely romance between one of the prisoners Jimmy (Nesbitt) and the only female that works in the prison, Annabell (Williams).
Olivia Williams, and Christopher Plummer gave good performances, and the movie was more interesting when they were on the screen. A decent film, but not particularly memorable.
Cute title, dull movie
amoore-425 October 2001
A lack of humour is the major problem with this movie. It never really makes you laugh. You will recognise early on that it is going to copy The Full Monty even if you had no idea of the connection before going in to see it. Additionally--as other commentators have accurately stated--it is unbelievable too often.
The only man-woman relationship is contrived; a beautiful, smart girl falling for an con? Of course the writer would like us to suspend our belief and accept that when people are in love anything is possible, but like the Chris O'Donnell's cliff leap in Vertical Limit you simply cannot accept it. Why is it that writers/producers think that an audience will believe the unbelievable? Have the surveys behind the scenes shown that movie-goers are so desperate for escapism or have nothing better to do that the 'believability bar' can be set so low? Even if the movie were novel and well-acted--which it is not--if the writer develops the life of characters within the context of an improbable relationship then no matter how good the acting is or how well the sory is developed the effect will be diminished.
There are some believable scenes, especially when Spall is on screen. His desperation to get out of prison following the meeting with his wife and son is quietly shown in his eyes and the soft words to his cell-mate, even if what he was going to do next was still fairly predictable. And Christopher Plummer! The sad professional slide he is currently on (Dracula 2000) makes me want to wither, or jump up and yell, "why are you wasting your talent here?". It could have been Don Knotts or Leslie Nielsen, almost anyone but Plummer. In other words, the producers needed 'a name' and Casting went along with it. I also had the feeling that the cute accents were used a vehicle to sell the movie. The mixture of Oxford English, non-Oxford English and Irish is not enough to charm me into suspending my belief if the jokes are few and far between. Like the movie's premise, I too was ready to get out as soon as possible. 3/10
The only man-woman relationship is contrived; a beautiful, smart girl falling for an con? Of course the writer would like us to suspend our belief and accept that when people are in love anything is possible, but like the Chris O'Donnell's cliff leap in Vertical Limit you simply cannot accept it. Why is it that writers/producers think that an audience will believe the unbelievable? Have the surveys behind the scenes shown that movie-goers are so desperate for escapism or have nothing better to do that the 'believability bar' can be set so low? Even if the movie were novel and well-acted--which it is not--if the writer develops the life of characters within the context of an improbable relationship then no matter how good the acting is or how well the sory is developed the effect will be diminished.
There are some believable scenes, especially when Spall is on screen. His desperation to get out of prison following the meeting with his wife and son is quietly shown in his eyes and the soft words to his cell-mate, even if what he was going to do next was still fairly predictable. And Christopher Plummer! The sad professional slide he is currently on (Dracula 2000) makes me want to wither, or jump up and yell, "why are you wasting your talent here?". It could have been Don Knotts or Leslie Nielsen, almost anyone but Plummer. In other words, the producers needed 'a name' and Casting went along with it. I also had the feeling that the cute accents were used a vehicle to sell the movie. The mixture of Oxford English, non-Oxford English and Irish is not enough to charm me into suspending my belief if the jokes are few and far between. Like the movie's premise, I too was ready to get out as soon as possible. 3/10
That Lord Nelson.
dbdumonteil4 March 2006
It was probably made to capitalize on the well-deserved success of the "Full Monty" :both films have a lot in common ;proles / prisoners setting a show up.
The major drawback is Christopher Plummer's part :it's really underwritten and the scenarists obviously favored James Nesbitt's role.Too bad for the "show " sequences are the best in the whole film but we do not laugh enough.Lord Nelson's and "that" Lady Hamilton's song is deliciously stupid and provides a great moment of fun.The inmates ironically singing "we're going home" is a hilarious scene too.
But it seems that the director could not make up his mind :he hesitates between comedy and drama:the sadistic warden is a cliché ,as old as the hills in what is finally a prison movie.
Watchable but the screenplay was not fully exploited.
The major drawback is Christopher Plummer's part :it's really underwritten and the scenarists obviously favored James Nesbitt's role.Too bad for the "show " sequences are the best in the whole film but we do not laugh enough.Lord Nelson's and "that" Lady Hamilton's song is deliciously stupid and provides a great moment of fun.The inmates ironically singing "we're going home" is a hilarious scene too.
But it seems that the director could not make up his mind :he hesitates between comedy and drama:the sadistic warden is a cliché ,as old as the hills in what is finally a prison movie.
Watchable but the screenplay was not fully exploited.
sweet and touching
cat.bolsover28 August 2001
Although not a laugh a minute rollercoaster, Lucky Break is a sweet film, with many funny moments. (mostly coming from Stephen Fry's musical lyrics)
James Nesbitt and Olivia Williams make a likeable couple and the supporting characters are all well done. An enjoyable film.
James Nesbitt and Olivia Williams make a likeable couple and the supporting characters are all well done. An enjoyable film.
Spall earns this an extra point and a half
DrPrunesquallor30 August 2001
Good....but not great. The main problem with this film is that although all the cast try very hard, its just not *that* funny. A major flaw with a comedy. And there isnt really enough drama to support it either. the basic idea seems to have come from that bit at the end of The Producers where they are running a musical in prison. This film features a group of convicts all planning to escape during the Governors new musical "Nelson - The Musical". It all meanders along very nicely, quite funny in places. Bill Nighy is a plus point to this film, but still doesnt get enough funny bits to do. And although the musical is meant to be laughably bad, it mostly just seems fairly dull.
The one truly brilliant performance here comes from Timothy Spall. His character gets very little time on screen, and yet, due to his acting, you find out more about him than any of the leads. Unfortunatly, his subplot is rapidly glossed over, hiding a lot of the serious point the film tries to make.
So, see this if you have nothing better to do, it won't waste your time. But, if you really want to see an edgy British prison comedy, watch an episode of Porridge. If you want to see a comedy featuring an appalingly bad musical, see The Producers. If you want to see an amazing acting performance, see, oh, anything else with Timothy Spall in. Perfect Strangers is a good place to start, although he doesnt actually feature that strongly in that either. Still, look him up, you wont regret it.
The one truly brilliant performance here comes from Timothy Spall. His character gets very little time on screen, and yet, due to his acting, you find out more about him than any of the leads. Unfortunatly, his subplot is rapidly glossed over, hiding a lot of the serious point the film tries to make.
So, see this if you have nothing better to do, it won't waste your time. But, if you really want to see an edgy British prison comedy, watch an episode of Porridge. If you want to see a comedy featuring an appalingly bad musical, see The Producers. If you want to see an amazing acting performance, see, oh, anything else with Timothy Spall in. Perfect Strangers is a good place to start, although he doesnt actually feature that strongly in that either. Still, look him up, you wont regret it.
Lucky Break
jboothmillard19 January 2009
Warning: Spoilers
From director Peter Cattaneo (The Full Monty), this is a pretty good prison break-out comedy with an all-star cast. James 'Jimmy' Hands (James Nesbitt) is halfway through a 12-year sentence for an attempted armed robbery, and he gets a lucky break, he's transferred to a prison seemingly easier to escape from. He convinces Governor Graham Mortimer (The Sound of Music's Christopher Plummer) to stage a musical based on the life of Nelson in the old chapel, next to one outer wall. Rounding up volunteer actors and production members, including Cliff Gumbell (Timothy Spall), Roger 'Rog' Chamberlain (Bill Nighy) and ex-robbery partner Rudy 'Rud' Guscott (Snatch's Lennie James), and the leading lady played by new love interest Annabel Sweep (Olivia Williams), his plan seems to be going well. So, after the arrival of nasty inmate John Toombes (Frank Harper), and the death of Cliff, it comes to the night of the musical, and Jimmy plans his "break-out performance", along with a couple of the other players, but in the end, Jimmy decides to stay for Annabel, while the others get away with it, and Jimmy is released in the end anyway. Also starring Ron Cook as Mr. Perry the Guard, Julian Barratt as Paul Dean and Celia Imrie as Amy Chamberlin. The jokes are very light, but the performances are all good, and the story has its moments, it's certainly worth a go. Good!
Shown up by Porridge
goopot26 August 2001
"Let me out too!"
xpat-551925 May 2021
Hmm, I bought it as an advertised comedy and reading the cast sold it to me.
Watching the dvd in bed, I rapidly started to feel like I was in prison myself and I couldn't wait to be released.
But I couldn't escape by my remote as I was afraid that as a patriotic Brit, I might miss some good old Brit humour. I was wrong.
The movie seemed like it couldn't decide what genre it should have adopted and followed.
So, a very strong cast got the movie two stars but a very weak meandering story got none.
Watching the dvd in bed, I rapidly started to feel like I was in prison myself and I couldn't wait to be released.
But I couldn't escape by my remote as I was afraid that as a patriotic Brit, I might miss some good old Brit humour. I was wrong.
The movie seemed like it couldn't decide what genre it should have adopted and followed.
So, a very strong cast got the movie two stars but a very weak meandering story got none.
How I wished I hadn't got this video out.
alanpuzey16 February 2002
Hard to believe that this is from the team that brought us 'The Full Monty', it is embarrassing to think that this may be seen outside of England. Monotonously paced, it never gets out of first gear and there is scarcely a funny line during the entire film, let alone an original one.
I enjoyed the film
kamatz26 January 2003
It is a nice change; the story was light and had a nice ending (a must in my opinion. The world has enough evil in it; I don't need that for my entertainment as well!) and even the violence was "ok" meaning, not too graphic. Cute movie.
What if "The Great Escape" had been a British comedy?
TxMike27 August 2003
Warning: Spoilers
I've not had the opportunity to spend any time in a British prison, but I doubt that the prison life is as nice in reality as it is portrayed here. But I think that's part of the comedy, part of the suspension of disbelief, for a bunch of happy-go-lucky prisoners who encourage the prison warden (called 'governor') to perform the stage musical "Nelson" that he has written, while at the same time plotting an escape. It stars James Nesbitt, an Irishman who is remarkably similar to George Clooney with a thick accent, as Jimmy Hands, inept bank robber. A very entertaining 103 minutes, I enjoyed this movie more than such British comedies as 'The Full Monty' and 'Brassed Off.'
some SPOILERS follow, please read no further. Jimmy and his partner, playing cops and robbers since kids, attempt a bank heist that will set them up for life, bungle it badly, and are sent to prison. Jimmy is nice but headstrong, spends most of his time in 14-day solitary stints, but finds (1) that the old chapel happens to be the ideal place to stage a break and (2) the warden would like to perform his musical in the old chapel because acoustics are ideal. So Jimmy encourages the warden, feeds his ego, while they devise a plan to use a rope ladder prop to go over the wall during the play. When a new prisoner, a violent man, shows up, and tells Jimmy he will be included, smart Jimmy devises a misdirection which ends up with the violent criminal being caught, while his three friends escape, with the help of the pilot wife of one of them. They simply dressed as theater-goers and walked out in the dark with the rest of the audience.
At the last minute Jimmy stayed behind, to serve out his two years, and be with the pretty prison anger-management psychologist who was his leading lady in the musical. He eventually got out, she was there for him. As credits roll we see the former chief prison guard patrolling a parking garage for a living, two of the escapees and the pilot wife partying in Rio, and the final escapee selling "maps to the stars" in Hollywood. This film is primarily a comedy, but there are commentaries on love and devotion, plus a tragic suicide after the gentle inmate finds out his wife may be running out on him.
A decent DVD with a good soundtrack, no extras worth mentioning.
some SPOILERS follow, please read no further. Jimmy and his partner, playing cops and robbers since kids, attempt a bank heist that will set them up for life, bungle it badly, and are sent to prison. Jimmy is nice but headstrong, spends most of his time in 14-day solitary stints, but finds (1) that the old chapel happens to be the ideal place to stage a break and (2) the warden would like to perform his musical in the old chapel because acoustics are ideal. So Jimmy encourages the warden, feeds his ego, while they devise a plan to use a rope ladder prop to go over the wall during the play. When a new prisoner, a violent man, shows up, and tells Jimmy he will be included, smart Jimmy devises a misdirection which ends up with the violent criminal being caught, while his three friends escape, with the help of the pilot wife of one of them. They simply dressed as theater-goers and walked out in the dark with the rest of the audience.
At the last minute Jimmy stayed behind, to serve out his two years, and be with the pretty prison anger-management psychologist who was his leading lady in the musical. He eventually got out, she was there for him. As credits roll we see the former chief prison guard patrolling a parking garage for a living, two of the escapees and the pilot wife partying in Rio, and the final escapee selling "maps to the stars" in Hollywood. This film is primarily a comedy, but there are commentaries on love and devotion, plus a tragic suicide after the gentle inmate finds out his wife may be running out on him.
A decent DVD with a good soundtrack, no extras worth mentioning.
a movie that is very funny, yet also sentimental
thompross18 August 2001
In my opinion, this was a great movie in a comedy aspect, but it also touches on your emotions as parts of the movie are, or can be, very sad. I left this movie very glad that I saw it, and I would see it again. I saw The Full Monty, and I loved it, and I thought this was a great follow-up movie, but I didn't take them into aspects of each other, as I never do any movie, it should be judged upon your own opinion of comedy and movie standards, not upon past movies by the same director. Overall, this is a very good movie, and I'd recommend it to anyone. Also, watch it till the end of the credits, you won't be disappointed, but maybe sad emotionally.
stupid but fun
jofitz274 January 2005
Lucky break is stupid. In fact, so stupid it's reasonably laughable. But it's also entertaining. Very entertaining. Filled with great comic sketches, as well as heart-touching moments, this film is definitely worth £3.50 and a bag of extra-large popcorn.
Starting off, two men are arrested, and put into jail, which they find very uncomfortable. They want out. So they hatch a ludicrous scheme that just couldn't work...or could it? Some good acting (espcially by Timothy Spall) leads this film well on it's way to the thumbs up. Funny, touching and hugely, hugely enjoyable, Lucky break should be just the antidote to a long, stressful day.
Overall: **** out of ***** (4 out of 5)
Starting off, two men are arrested, and put into jail, which they find very uncomfortable. They want out. So they hatch a ludicrous scheme that just couldn't work...or could it? Some good acting (espcially by Timothy Spall) leads this film well on it's way to the thumbs up. Funny, touching and hugely, hugely enjoyable, Lucky break should be just the antidote to a long, stressful day.
Overall: **** out of ***** (4 out of 5)
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