DVD The Limelight

The Limelight is an ultra low budget comedy drama that was written, directed and stars comedian Glen Maney. Maney plays Gary Shand, a middle aged stand up comedian who in his own words has lost his wife, his kids, everything. Constantly short of cash, Gary tries desperately to get work through his agent Al (Ricky Grover), a non nonsense hard man who appears to enjoy watching Gary suffer. Gary's only friends appear to be a young stand up called Sean (Patrick Monahan) who steals his material and bartender Adrian (Mark Monero) who has dreams of being a councillor but is unable to console Gary. The plot follows Gary through his struggles until he is ready to end it all. But is redemption just around the corner? I was asked to review this film by a friend who knows Glen Maney. Because of this I was worried that I wouldn't like it and would have to tell him that I thought his friend's film sucked! On the whole though I'm pleased to say that I did enjoy the film although it is not without its faults. Firstly I thought that the premise and story was excellent and was something that is relatable. The idea of a comic who hasn't quite made it and is struggling with personal problems is a great narrative idea but I felt that the film could have been punchier and is perhaps better suited to TV. In an episodic format I would have happily returned to see how Gary was getting on week after week.

Coming from a comedian you'd expect this film to be funny and indeed in places it is. I laughed a number of times and much more than I did during the likes of Wunderlust or Morning Glory. The film isn't an out and out comedy though and features a lot of drama and tragedy. Gary is quite a sad man who through a mixture of circumstance, poor management and his drinking problem has never come close to fulfilling his potential and has lost a lot in the process. Despite the sadness there are still some great comedic moments including gems such as Garry telling Al he has until three to decide something and when Al glances at his watch, Gary counts One… Two… Three. I loved the scene in which Gary is drunk and tries to steal a tramps beer but my favourite scene was when Gary somehow got an attractive woman to a hotel room and was trying to psyche himself up in the mirror. It's a really funny sequence and shows the characters insecurities. The character is also quite self deprecating which I found both funny and likable.

The film is very low budget and it shows. IMDb shows an estimated budget of £80,000 which probably wouldn't even cover the coffee budget of most Hollywood comedies. To criticise the film's look seems harsh because of the budget but Gareth Evans showed what could be done on a shoes string with Monsters. I think the problem is two fold in that not only is it cheap but the film makers are inexperienced. As a result the sound mixing felt a little out and the fades looked cheap. I also felt that there were far too many shots in which actors looked straight into the camera as though we the audience were the other actor. I also disliked the occasional Benny Hill style sped up shots. Having said all of this, Maney and co director John Robson clearly have some idea about what they are doing as some shots looked great. One in particular in which Gary is choosing between a beer and going home which is shot from above looked excellent. An area in which the production excels is in its choice of music. The film sounds great and I was tapping my toes throughout. It's an accomplishment that the film sounds as good as it does when its budget is so small.

On the acting front it is Ricky Grover who clearly stands out in a cast which is a mixture of actors, comedians and I suspect a few amateurs. He totally convinces as the hard man agent and is terrifying. The character isn't a stretch for him but I thought he was excellent. Barman Mark Monero was also very good and Sonya Roseman is convincing as gold digger Sarah. Patrick Monahan is a comedian I've seen several times over the past six or so years and I have loved his sets but his acting doesn't quite cut it here. Glen Maney delivers a performance which is mostly very natural but occasionally feels forced. Because of this the film sometimes had that documentary feel that The Office had and I couldn't quite tell what was real or fake, scripted or improvised. I actually liked this feeling and it kept me on my toes.

The Limelight is an interesting and funny film and I was never bored. At times it is difficult to see past the production values but is on the whole successful. I liked the idea of the struggling comic who is watching younger guys come through and finding it difficult to remain in control of their life and I'd definitely be interested to watch another film from Glen Maney and John Robson.

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The Limelight is the story of a middle-aged comedian's (Gary Shand) search for fame. The lead is played to great effect by Glen Maney himself, who I've seen live as a comedian and quite enjoyed but never as an actor. I was impressed. Very impressed. I think the fact that he wrote the original script, although by his own admission, the end project was largely improvised and ideas had been introduced by Co-Director, John Robson and many of the cast, meant that he knew the character inside out and this possibly assisted in his performance, but it was impressive all the same.

Gary Shand has to fight against a marriage break-up, alcohol dependency and oncoming mental illness because of the pressure brought on by his quest and his own short fallings.

He is also given a bigger mountain to climb because of his manager. Played by Ricky Grover , who I loved as 'Bulla' from the 11 O'clock Show, but who most of you will know as Eastender's Andrew Cotton, this character (Al Moran) is relentless in his efforts to put Gary down and promote his rising star Sean Bollinger ,played by (Show Me The Funny- Winner ) Patrick Monahan. His treatment of Gary is cringe worthy and in places wicked, but it's one of the funniest performances I think I've ever seen. His every line seems to be comedy gold and whether it's improvised or written, I have to say I was reduced to tears of laughter by some of his scenes.

There's a stand out scene where Al Moran is hanging upside down and is explaining that Gary is dead, that had me laughing after the film has finished, but I won't give away the dialogue.

Whilst Ricky Grover, ably supported by Glen Maney, carry the film. There are other excellent performances.

Jay Sodagar is brilliant as Gary's landlord, Mr.Ali and again had me laughing although he was piling more pressure on the hapless Gary Shand.

Patrick Monahan throws in a solid performance as Sean Bollinger and whilst some of his dialogue seems a bit 'rambly' some of his lines and their delivery are again very funny.

Sonya Roseman who's an actress I don't know but who is very easy on the eye does a great job as the 'straight gal' and this lets Glen Maney show his comedic side for a change in what is after all a very dark and pathetic character portrayal. She plays the lead lady,Sara Meo, who is an ex-escort and a millionairess, after marrying one of her elderly clients who subsequently died.

My favourite scene of the film is the bathroom scene prior to Gary being promised sex by Sara and for me, it was one laugh after another and largely down to great comedic timing on Glen's part and some tight shots from John Robson. I think it's one of the funniest scenes I've ever witnessed in a film.

Another scene I'd like to comment on is the bar scene with Chuck the bar barman played by Craig Campbell. After Gary has always had the sympathetic ear of a barman called Adrian (played with his usual professional approach by Mark Monero –Wild Bill –Eastenders), Gary meets new barman Chuck who has psychopathic tendencies and is definitely not a kind ear! The result for me again was hilarious. The release of tension in the scene and the chemistry between the two characters is just spot on. As is their comic timing.

So were there any downsides? Yes, there were. This movie cost about £25k to make and took five years apparently and was made when cast and crew were available. It looks in places like a movie that was made on that budget. There are a couple of scenes for me that look slightly out of focus and some of the transitions for me look amateurish.

The sound again has the odd variance that you would expect from a budget film but these are few and far between and don't really effect your overall enjoyment.

There is the odd occasion when Glen Maney's character is slightly too pathetic, but as this happens you are hit with another laugh, so the film just about gets away with that.

I loved the soundtrack and whilst full of original numbers, it's in my opinion, better than a lot of budget soundtracks and I thought it helped the film to hide a few of it's production weaknesses.

In short, this micro budget film is very dark but very, very, funny. I can't remember a film where I've laughed so much in a long time.

I think if John Robson and Glen Maney get a budget behind them to do a project, it's a project I'd definitely want to see based on the evidence of this little offering.