Wreck of the Pequod

How can a film that re-unites Jessica Hynes and Nick Frost fail?

Well…

Sigh

Where to begin? The direction sucks all the joy out of the actors attempts to breathe life into the turgid script. Almost every scene is a shot followed by a reverse shot for each line so theres almost never any on screen chemistry.

There’s some stunning English countryside that’s shot in such a disinterested way that it resembles a Channel 5 documentary.

The script has nothing of any interest. Barely any set ups, almost non-existent payoffs. No themes, no character arcs, nothing to say.

Bizarrely, there’s a line near the end of the film where Dagan and Shulmay argue, that pierces the heart and reveals a great tragedy of unresolved and unseen grief for one of the characters. ¹ It’s a stunning moment of clarity that glimpses an alternative universe where this film has been made by people who give shit. Who understand characters, motivation and backstory and are prepared to put the effort in to make a cohesive story for the audience. But it’s only a glimpse, lasting barely a couple of seconds before we’re dumped back into this universe where we’re watching a boring movie made by bored people.

Nick Frost and Nicola Coughlan do everything they can to enliven things but fail. John Macmillan and Paul Kaye very (very) briefly succeed.

At one point, James Acaster slides across a scene like a turd in an oilslick, proving once more there really is no beginning to his talents.