The days when starving artists lived in elegantly dilapidated Georgian piles are long gone but if the makers of A Film With Me In It know as much, they’re not letting on. Though apparently set in the present day, in tone and aspect Ian FitzGibbon’s film seems to belong to gloomier pre-Tiger times.
In this mocha free environment, Mark Doherty stars as a struggling actor attempting to juggle failed auditions, care of his quadriplegic brother (the if.comedy award winning comedian, David O Doherty) and a seriously pissed off girlfriend (Amy Huberman). Already behind in the rent, Mark is in no position to ask his glowering landlord (Keith Allen) for the repairs his home urgently requires.
Before you can say Death Trap, a chandelier crashes down, killing Mark’s brother and leaving our hapless hero and his bumbling alcoholic friend (Dylan Moran) to deal with a series of equally unfortunate, DIY related mishaps.
The film, as even a passing lettuce might have gathered, is a pitch black comedy, though in practise, there’s far too much of the former and not nearly enough mediating hilarity. Dylan Moran helps out by being Dylan Moran, but even his hangdog fan base may find the relentless misanthropy overbearing.
There are, happily, some great ideas and pratfalls along the way and the wicked denouement is a real doozy. With any luck, Mark Doherty (who wrote the screenplay in addition to occupying the lead role) and his team can produce the Buster Keaton vehicle A Film With Me In It wants to be.