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It Was an Accident (2000)
Nicky wants to go straight, but the world seems to have other ideas ...
After a spate of dreadful Brit' crime thrillers, finally a (semi) original crime based caper with a rom-com edge.
Fine performance from Chiwtel Ejiofor as the luckless Nicky, an ex-con who finds himself trapped between the police, gang boss Rameez, psycho thug Mickey (an insane Beesley), and Fitch (Bolam) a throw-back to the old days of the Krays.
As fate conspires against him, it seems he'll never get it together with the beautiful Noreen (a post M:I-2 low key appearance by from Newton).
And some of the best dialogue since Snatch.
Bodywork (2001)
An unsatisfying and contrived Brit' crime caper.
Another weak and contrived Brit' crime drama with comedy aspirations as a group of characters sit in a white room and recall the incidents that led to them coming together starting with the sale of a dodgy motor...
No performance on earth can save what is basically a poorly developed script.
Distinctly unsatisfying.
Whatever Happened to Harold Smith? (1999)
Well meaning but messy 'magical' '70s set rom-com
Sheffield 1977 and 18 year old pen-pusher Vince Smith fancies himself as a Saturday Night Fever styled disco king, but the object of his affection, Joanna, is more interested in Johnny Rotton than John Travolta.
While spineless Vince wrestles with his conscience, his downtrodden father, Harold, reveals a hitherto undeclared talent for magic that is nearer to the X-Files than the spoon-bending antics of Uri Geller. And when a fatal incident in a residential home brings him to the publics attention, Joanna's pompous scientist father surprisingly declares him a walking miracle! Featuring cameos from such '70s icons as Angela Rippon, John Craven, Keith Chegwin, Jan Leeming, Alan Whicker and Lulu (as Vince's wayward mum), Courtenay is a likeable Smith, and the film has all the ingredients for a warm, quirky romantic comedy, but sadly, it all fails to gel.
Whatever happened indeed!
Wonderland (1999)
Bleak, unsettling, but rewarding.
A weekend in the lives of three sisters as Nadia looks for love, Debbie packs son Jack off to her ex's and Molly prepares for the birth of her first child. Meanwhile their mother is being driven to the point of insanity by the neighbours dog and their father is left weary and frustrated.
Filmed with a hand-held camera, Wonderland has a very documentary/ fly-on-the-wall feel, against the background of a very recognisable London.
Winner of '99s Best New British Film Award in the Birmingham Film & TV Festival, it's essentially a bleak and unsentimental look at disjointed lives in a big city, yet very rewarding