Saturday 27 February 2010

Malice in Wonderland: Maliciously Wondering …

You know, I’ve got to admit, there’s times when a Movie Night can go slightly …

Slightly …

Slightly differently to how it was planned …

Certainly to what I had in mind, anyway … !

Just to give you an example, I know myself and Allison were in Brentwood Library, today, oggling its collection of DVD’s for rent, when we both got to thinking the Neil Jordan cult favourite, Company Of Wolves, mite just go down well.

Not that the two of us — along with Movie Night Adrian and Dr Kevin — actually watched it …

Sometimes, Adrian can bring in a DVD with an interestingly persuasive looking bit of blurb …

Which he did, tonight.

He’d been in Brentwood Library, earlier, as well, and managed to pick up a copy of the Simon Fellows directed, Danny Dyer film, Malice In Wonderland*.

Which wasn’t the gangster film the cover implies it is, I’m thinking.

Well …

Possibly not the gangster film the cover implies …

Because what it is, is a twisty version of Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures In Wonderland.

Actually, maybe twisty’s not the right word, here.

Malice In Wonderland is a twisty, Gangster version of the Lewis Carroll book.

And I think we’ve hit another Repo, in that sense.

The film tells us the tale of billionaire’s daughter, Alice Dodgson — who’s found out a little something her father didn’t want her to know, and is itching to confront him with it — who is transport down the film’s version of the rabbit hole, by being hit by the cab drivein by Whitey: the Danny Dyer character, in other words.

Which, much like the book, is where it gets strange …

After all, Whitey was going to take delivery of a tie.

No, don’t ask, it’ll spoil the surprise.

•••••

Now personally?

I’m thinking I speak for all of us, in saying we’ve seen something I’ve come to think of as a Repo: The Genetic Opera, here. Or just plain Repo, in honour of the musical.

In other words, a film I think is boxed to look vaguely like something it’s — maybe — not.

That you’re — maybe — not expecting to like. Or dislike, come to that matter.

But you end up having a surprisingly acceptable evening with, anyway.

Malice In Wonderland is another Repo.

You might not be stunned by it, its artistic integrity or contribution to the field of film, acting or directorial arts when you watch it.

But you’ll be entertained, at least.




Maggie Grace Alice

Danny Dyer Whitey

Matt King Gonzo

Nathaniel Parker Harry Hunt

Bronagh Gallagher ... Hattie

Anthony Higgins Rex

Steve Haze Midge

Gary Beadle DJ Felix Chester

Amanda Boxer Bag Lady

Garrick Hagon Mr. Dodgson





* I do know the reviewer for IMDb wasn’t stunned, but did like bits of it.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Im going to have to check that out Paul! I didn't hate Repo mostly because I liked the grave robber guy and I love Sarah Brightman but this sounds interesting.

Nik Nak said...

:D

It’s a worthwhile 83 minutes, I know that!!