The Jolly Boys' Last Stand film review

certificate_15

THE JOLLY BOYS' LAST STAND

There are a couple of reasons why The Jolly Boys' Last Stand is begin released on DVD in 2006, a full six years after it appeared and hastily disappeared from cinema screens. Those two reasons are its star Andy Serkis and co-star Sacha Baron Cohen, who are now known throughout the world for their alter egos of Gollum/Kong and Ali G/ Borat. Here's a chance to see them before they were famous, in a low/no-budget film that retains a surprising amount of charm and humour.

Serkis plays Spider, aka El Presidente, the leader of a bunch of schoolmates who have grown up together, had far too many curries and beer along the way, and have now all hit those difficult twenties, with careers, girlfriends and even wives getting in the way of their fun. When Spider announces that he is getting married, his Jolly Boys are in shock. They decide to make a film to give to Spider as his wedding present - to remind him of what he is going to miss - and embark on one last spree of high jinks, culminating in a not-so-sunny weekend in Grimsby.

Compared to any of the projects that brought fame and fortune to Serkis and Cohen, this is a miniscule effort in terms of its production values, but director and writer Chris Payne isn't under any illusions. By creating a sketch-type structure, we are able to see all of the members of the gang (usually) getting up to no good, and there are certainly a number of decent gags throughout.

Yes, these lads get a kick out of slapping complete strangers with a wet fish. Yes, they consider playing a game called freckles - a description of which would certainly not be fit to print in a family website. And yes, there's even a chance to see Serkis limbering up for his work on Kong in a hilarious scene when they go to the woods for some group bonding. But what's most important is that they are a loveable lot, energetically played by an enthusiastic cast.

It's Serkis who shines, however, with a performance that is charming, funny and on the money. Looking at this early work, it's not surprising that he has become the superstar that he is. Perhaps more surprising is the fact that Chris Payne hasn't made a film since: there have been a plethora of lottery-funded comedies in the last few years that haven't come close to this.