Just perfect...

Fanciful, disturbing, and wildly original, it announces the arrival of a fresh, bold voice in American cinema.

This is a gorgeous movie made by a gorgeous spirit.

There is definitely an excellent idea hidden in the background of the film. Unfortunately, it's difficult to find it.

in this case, seductive could be the right word. for the nice story, who escapes from old clichés, for performances and for a fresh air who transforms, with subtle art, a predictable show in touching, realistic and interesting, almost fascinating entertainment. this is the fundamental virtue of film. to give the right recipe for a great story in each of its nuances.

When this film was released in 1999 I remember thinking that I wouldn't mind seeing it. I never got around to it at the time and I'd forgotten about it until I saw that it was available on Netflix a couple of days ago. My wife was away so I gave it a go, thinking it was a bit of a lads' shoot 'em up adventure, which on one level it is, but it's so much more than that and it's gone straight into my all-time top 5 films. I enjoyed it so much that I watched it again the next day when my wife had returned as I thought she'd also love it, which she did (though not quite as much as me). I've never watched a film twice in two days before but I could watch it again right now as there are details that I missed each time (e.g. Armstrong & Miller's characters, Winterburn and Dixon, being named after two of Arsenal's defenders in the 1980s/90s). The attention to detail in the film added so much for me, such as in the scene where Gibson (Michael Gambon) has a chat with Mr Chance (Ken Stott) in a circular, domed room. The dialogue is wonderful, with Gibson witheringly cutting Chance down to size by reminding him of his rise to power from a lowly start in life - "What's it feel like to look down on your humble origins from the dizzy heights? Does it make you giddy?" The location, music, lighting and camera angles make the scene highly atmospheric but what struck me in particular was the sight of the three dogs that ran through the room and then back again during the conversation. There was no apparent reason for them to be in the scene but it was a lovely addition to it. The big set pieces, such as the ball and the wedding party, again beautifully shot and lit, were sumptuous visual extravaganzas that also contained wonderful witty dialogue. The use of the contemporary techno music during the Baroque dance scene worked fabulously well, as did the stylised dancing itself. Craig Armstrong's score in general was superb and the Tiger Lillies' falsetto-voiced music hall songs suited the era perfectly. The film is also a celebration of British acting talent, with character actors, both dramatic and comic, from the main leads to the briefest, blink-and-you'll-miss-it cameo role, reveling in the opportunity to camp it up and mug the camera. Robert Carlyle and Johnny Lee Miller play off each other to hilarious and touching effect in the title roles. Liv Tyler plays the sparky love interest nicely and, unlike some reviewers, I didn't have any problem with her British accent. Michael Gambon is peerless as always - that man could make a Tesco shopping list seem profound - and Ken Stott creates one of cinema's most memorable villains. Of the lesser roles, Terence Rigby's humane gaoler is a lovely touch and Claire Rushbrook is great as the pox- ridden Lady Estelle. The comedy pairings of Armstrong & Miller and Lucas & Walliams (in a precursor of his 'I'm a lady' Little Britain shtick) bring short but welcome bursts of pantomime to the proceedings. Have I forgotten anyone? Ah yes, Alan Cumming. Rochester is the role of a lifetime for him and, as many other reviewers have pointed out, he steals the film from the moment he appears in his purple hat. All of the other actors are also excellent but a special mention must go to Nichola McAuliffe as Lady Crombie. I'm amazed that no-one else has mentioned her as what she delivers in the three or four lines that she's given is pure perfection - "When a brave new gentleman comes upon the scene…we ladies are quite aflutter". She hardly moves a facial muscle and her voice is almost a monotone but the effect is extraordinary. Her brief appearance really jumped out at me and I had to replay her scene a few times just to wallow in her skill. So, all in all, a fun, dark, atmospheric, anachronistic historical romp in which the bad guys get their comeuppance and the 'good' guys live to fight another day. Terrific and highly recommended.

I wasn't too sure about this movie when I was about to watch it, and the only reason we saw it was because the release of Mr Nice Guy was delayed once again. That was a little annoying, but for some reason I wanted to see this movie so I managed to talk my friend into it and we went to see it and in the end I really enjoyed it.This movie is about a couple of highwaymen, Plunkett and Maclaine. Plunkett was once an alchemist but after is business failed and his wife died, he took up highway robbery to earn enough money to sail to America. Things were going slow until he ran into Captain Maclaine, a noble who loved to drink, wrench, and gamble - and because of this he had thrown away all of his money and was now in debtor's gaol. Maclaine doesn't want anything to do with Plunkett at first because Maclaine is a noble and Plunkett is a commoner, but reality comes home when Maclaine falls over in front of some nobles and is scorned by them. It is then that he realises that he is no longer in their midsts and is determined to claw his way back.There is also a character named Chance. He is a brutal man whose job is to enforce the law, and he does this by any means possible. At this time there is debate over whether to enact a police force or not - the argument is that a police force will take freedom away from the people - but at this time the people are so poor that they have little freedom anyway; and now the rich are being targeted by Plunkett and Maclaine and none feel safe.Yet they have earned the name of the Gentlemen Highwaymen namely because Maclaine is so nice to the ladies when he robs them. At first he robs the girl that he has fallen for and apologises as he is robbing her, but he has such a smooth mouth that he takes the title with glee and begins to play upon it inciting the imaginations of the noble and the commoners alike. The women swoon over them but the men hate them. Maclaine milks it for all its worth, because he is a man that loves fame, women, and people taking notice of him. Plunkett simply wants to get to America and plans on quitting when he has enough money. Unfortunately that is never going to happen because Maclaine is too interested in stealing Plunkett's money and wasting it. As it is said, there is no honour among thieves.Maclaine does nothing to deserve Plunkett's mercy. At first he manages to get them out of gaol, but as Maclaine becomes more obsessed with his partying, the original goal vanishes. Anyway, Maclaine has no intention of going to America - all of the fun is in England. The women, his legend, and the parties. Plunkett wants a new life while Maclaine simply wants to continue living the life he has. He can't afford it, but that does not matter because he will simply steal more.One final character that I must discuss is Rochester - he is a very quirky character. It is implied, but never stated, that he is bi-sexual. The quote is "do you still swing both ways?"; "No, I swing all ways!" There are numerous suggestions to homosexuality but it is never stated - this is left for our imagination. What we are given though is a class of debaucherers. The nobles live a life far above their means and enjoy it at other people's expense. We see a society here where the poor live in the mud - and this is not hidden as we see Maclaine go from the very poor to the very rich, but even so there is still a dirty feel to the movie - as if the nobles, even though they live is luxury, are still incredibly dirty on the inside.The interesting thing about this movie is that it is set in the 18th century, but the soundtrack is very modern - almost 90's. I can't offer any real explanation except that it worked very well. I really liked this movie, and is one of the best I have seen so far.

fresh, nice, good cast, slices of tension, humor and adventure, Robin Hood in new clothes and tales about love and friendship. fragile Jonny Lee Miller, rude Robert Carlyle and Liv Tyler as reflection of old Amazons. good atmosphere, ridiculous aristocrats, fights, mud, fake jewels, an interesting bad guy and charm of Alan Cummings. a part of childhood novels with heroes, princesses, air of lost age and mysteries. and if it is not a new story - the recipes is yellow - it is a perfect temptation to rediscover bones of dusty world. out of rules, as football play in school yard, far from problems or great artistic expectations. a Iain Robertson is OK solution for create circle of credibility and stop impression of mediocre delight. but this movie is more than a joke or piece of long chain. it is remember of good times. and this fact is very important today.