Filth (2013)

Director: Jon S. Baird
Starring: James McAvoy, Jamie Bell, Eddie Marsan, Shauna Macdonald, Jim Broadbent
Certificate: 18
Genre: Crime, Comedy
Awards: None

Based on another novel by Trainspotting writer Irvine Welsh, Filth is also set in Scotland but focuses on the police force, Bruce Robinson (McAvoy) in particular. Bruce is a corrupt, drugged-up and spiteful man who plans to gain the newly available promotion at the station by any means necessary. He sows mistrust through the workforce whilst humiliating them at any chance. Unfortunately, Bruce's slow descent into madness makes his goal harder to achieve.

Filth reminds me a lot of Naked, another british film featuring a mad bearded man who is still likeable despite the fact that he is not that nice a person. Both films show a confidence within the protagonist that is slowly stripped away from them as they become more and more helpless.

Filth is a funny, startling and quite visceral film that benefits immensely from McAvoy's stellar performance. McAvoy makes the film what it is, and what it is is great.

*****Brilliant

Broadway Danny Rose (1984)

Director: Woody Allen
Starring: Woody Allen, Mia Farrow, Nick Apollo Forte
Certificate: PG
Genre: Comedy
Awards: None

Broadway Danny Rose is a comedy about a talent agent in New York of the same name (Allen). Danny Rose is great at finding talent for showbiz, unfortunatly everybody leaves him once they get a little taste of success. At the time of the film, Danny is managing the once famous singer, Lou Canova (Forte), with plans for a comeback. As Danny attempts to make Lou happy for his most important performance yet, he agrees to take Lou's mistress, Tina (Farrow), along as his date. This leads to trouble with the mob and a race to get to the show before Lou drinks himself sick for worry.

Along with many of Allen's films, the greatest concentration of humour in Broadway Danny Rose comes from the stars neurotism. For those who like such humour, the film ios recommended already. However, there are other jokes used, both visual and in dialogue, allowing something for everyone. The misunderstandings of the film's character allow it to play out like a farce, yet in a less flurried style than its usual form.

Broadway Danny Rose is a good film to start if you desire to get into Woody Allen as it is not too over the top, as in Love And Death, yet still faetures his brand of humour.

****Good