A Bunch of Amateurs (2009)

What could have been an enjoyable fish out of water English comedy is let down by a ridiculously low budget and dire acting from Reynolds. He doesn't seem to be awake for the whole film and there is none of the charisma he gave to most of his roles in the 70's and 80's (or even 'Boogie Nights'). It was a nice idea to use an actual ageing action star to play the role of an ageing action star but because Reynolds can't be bothered to put the effort in there's no way you'd believe he could pull off the role of Lear successfully. This isn't helped by the fact that he's surrounded by much better stage actors like Jacobi and Staunton who at least put some effort into their paper thin roles. Bond is also good but the faint romance sub-plot with Reynolds comes to nothing as they have no chemistry between them. Don't both with these bunch of amateurs!

I thought this was gonna be straight to DVD crap but it actually quite a nice charming little film about a big head Hollywood actor trying his luck in a small English village with the local thesp troop and some Shakespearian roles. Its not groundbreaking or anything but it is a good, fun funny little film with a great performance by Burt Reynolds and all the supporting UK cast members, especially Derek Jacobi as a jealous thesp hehe Really enjoyed it, shame its missed the big screen and better attention.