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High Heels And Low Lifes [2001]
![High Heels And Low Lifes [2001]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51V39C8JNXL._SL160_.jpg)
Having literally stumbled into a local bank robbery, the pair devise a plan to blackmail the gang behind the heist--a plan that descends into a rather predictable farce. McCormack certainly makes energetic use of the limited material she has to work with, and while kudos must go to Driver for picking a low-budget British film, she simply has been much better in her Hollywood work (notably the more understated humour of Grosse Pointe Blank). Indeed, its female leads aside, the cast is almost predominantly assembled from British television comedy shows, with Mark Williams from The Fast Show and Big Train's Danny Dyer acquitting themselves particularly well. Overall, though, it's not an awful lot to write home about. On the DVD: High Heels and Low Lifes the DVD, like the film itself, is fairly average. The soundtrack (a vibrant mix of old and new) certainly sounds good and Smith's snappy visual style is well represented. The special features, however, fail to offer us anything particularly new or exciting, featuring the now standard featurette, audio commentary from Smith and writer Kim Fuller, and a peculiar thing called an "action overload"--essentially the trailer without the voiceover. --Phil Udell
RRP: £15.99
Our Price: £3.49 (subject to change)
Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review
With its limp efforts to mix comedy and drama, High Heels and Low Lifes is in many ways a faltering attempt to combine the most successful aspects of recent British cinema. Directed by Mel Smith (whose The Tall Guy was unarguably a fine film), the movie tries to work the modern gangster genre into a more farcical setting. By basing his film on the story of two friends Frances (Mary McCormack) and Shannon (Minnie Driver), Smith is aiming for a Thelma & Louise feel, but falls some way short of the mark.
Daftly brilliant
Review date: 2008-04-21 Rating: 10 out of 10
This is a minor gem, a daftly brilliant British comedy which never aspires to be anything more than Brit-gangster meets Ealing comedy. In the classic Ealing tradition, it trades heavily on the uniquely British comedic possibilities of a series of deceptions which spiral out of control, with increasingly unsustainable impersonations.
For some reason, the British fascination with identity comedy doesn't travel well, and unlike Hugh-Grant floppy haired romanticism, or anarchic Pythonism, these kind of films never seem to get good write ups. Amazon's own review (and also the Radio Times one), in my view, reflect this more than they reflect the film itself.
Anyway, I've watched this film twice, and fully intend to watch it five or six times more. It's charming, energetic, fun, and just on this side of believable. If you enjoy this film, you might also consider watching 'The Steal' and 'Blame it on the Bellboy'.
--
PS: It's also touching in the simplicity of its research: at the end of the film, a million pounds (with something left over) is enough to equip a new casualty unit including buying an MRI scanner -- and that in 2001. If only they knew how much stuff really cost.
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Reviews
Brilliant girlie send up..
Review date: 2008-02-14 Rating: 10 out of 10
This is a brilliant girlie send up of Lock stock and two smoking barrels. It is a comedy. It is very funny and is also an action movie with a plot that just might, with a leap of imagination, get near to what the reality could be! The ineptitude of the villains makes them more real not less, and their menacing brutality all the more fun. The girls run rings round them through a combination of luck, circumstance and quick thinking. If you want to be entertained, buy this movie.
JUST IN CASE
Review date: 2007-08-18 Rating: 10 out of 10
Dud it certainly isn`t, very very funny, typical of Mel Smith. It does have a limited audience appeal ie. if you don`t have a sense of humour don`t watch, but, if like me you love to laugh get your hands on a copy now. I love the ending, it is in perfect harmony with the whole film.
a dud
Review date: 2004-03-24 Rating: 4 out of 10
The directing is amateurish, the film is utterly lacking in atmosphere, and the interview with Mel Smith, in which at one point he compares himself to Alfred Hitchcock, is embarrassing. Brownie points to the cast for putting on a brave face and doing their best.
Blew me away! Loved every moment! Not to be missed!!
Review date: 2002-07-19 Rating: 10 out of 10
Ok I was kinda forced to watch this in the cinema by my female friend. I have to admit I bought the ticket thinking what have I let myself in for!
But hey I loved every moment. It made my laugh, cry and had plenty of suspense to keep the average viewer glued. It had big guns and shooting for the boys and lipstick glamour for the girls! it really is a laugh out loud comedy for all.
The plot is solid and the characters are played perfectly by the talented actors. This movie really deserved to be a box office smash and has firmly become one of my favouraite movies.
I made my cousin buy me the DVD for my birthday and it was still as good as I remembered if not better! The features were good and informative, but the film alone would have been enough.
My advice is: just go and watch it! You will not regret it! Don't let his gem slip by you!
xxxx
Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
Minnie Driver
Kevin McNally
Danny Dyer
Mark Williams
Mary McCormack
Creators:
Mary McCormack (Primary Contributor)
Minnie Driver (Primary Contributor)
Director(s):
Recording label: Touchstone Home Video
Manufacturer: Touchstone Home Video
EAN: 5017188883955
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: PAL, Widescreen,
Release date: 2006-06-15
Number of discs: 1
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Audience rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 85 minutes
Theatrical release date: 2002-05-30
Language: English (Subtitled)
Language: English (Original Language)