Odd Job

Cast

Graham Chapman
as Arthur Harris

David Jason
as Odd Job Man

Diana Quick
as Fiona Harris

Simon Williams
as Tony Sloane

Edward Hardwicke
as Inspector Black

Bill Paterson
as Sgt. Mull

Michael Elphick
as Raymonde

Stewart Harwood
as Bernaard

Carolyn Seymour
as Angie

Joe Melia
as Headwaiter

George Innes
as Caretaker

Dave Atkins
as Milkman

James Bree
as Mr. Kemp

Zulema Dene
as Mrs. Kemp

Nick Edmett
as Police Constable

David Hatton
as Old Man

John Judd
as Police Driver

Anthony Milner
as Waiter

Richard O'Brien
as Batch

Toby Salaman
as Barman

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Critic Reviews for Odd Job

Audience Reviews for Odd Job

• Feb 25, 2012

  Basically the answer to a trivia question ("What did Graham Chapman do between 'Holy Grail' and 'Life of Brian'?"), "The Odd Job" is a slight black comedy that lacks the surreal absurdity and heady academia to match Monty Python's genius. But it's essential viewing for fans, all the same. Arthur Harris (Chapman) decides he can't go on after his bored wife (Diana Quick) leaves him, but is too cowardly to kill himself. A quirky fool (David Jason) seeking "odd jobs" knocks on the door at just the right moment, and Arthur hires him as a stalker/assassin. However, the wife soon returns and poor Arthur can't call off the pact. Thus begins a farce in which he scrambles to dodge a series of inept murder schemes. It's a one-joke plot, but the action turns dark enough to avoid being a Wile E. Coyote and Roadrunner cartoon. Meanwhile, Bill Paterson (who also appeared in Michael Palin's "A Private Function" and Terry Gilliam's "The Adventures of Baron Munchausen") shows up as a detective in his film debut, and slinky Carolyn Seymour accepts a throwaway role that requires little beyond gratuitous nudity. Director Peter Medak ("The Ruling Class," "A Day in the Death of Joe Egg") is no stranger to perversity, but this film is not his best work. But just imagine if the hit man had been played by the original casting choice: the Who's Keith Moon.
  

  Eric B Super Reviewer

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