Film Review: Rancid Aluminium (2000)
If some things look too good to be true, they usually aren’t. Life of the protagonist of Rancid Aluminium, 2000 British film directed by Edward Thomas, doesn’t seem to be the exception to this rule. Pete Thompson (played by Rhys Ifans) had reasons to believe that he had everything – a beautiful and loving wife Sarah (played by Sadie Frost) and lucrative business inherited by his father. Pete’s life begins to unravel when his accountant and friend Sean Deeney (played by Joseph Fiennes) tells him that the business owes large sums of unpaid taxes to government and is actually close to bankruptcy. The only way out of that predicament appears to be the deal with certain “businesspeople” from Russia. Pete is reluctant at first, because he and Sarah are just about to try having a baby. However, he finally agrees and meets future partner Mr. Kant (played by Stephen Berkoff) and his daughter Masha (played by Tara Fitzgerald) to whom, despite her bizarre behaviour, becomes attracted.
Based on the novel by James Hawes, author who also wrote the screenplay, Rancid Aluminium was supposed to be one of those low budget projects that quietly come to theatres before winning the hearts and minds of critics and audience by storm. Advertised as Tarantinoesque black comedy, it had cast made of two actors associated with romantic comedies and similar films made in late 20th Century “cool Britannia” – Rhys Ifans and Joseph Fiennes. Those two are accompanied by veteran character actor Stephen Berkoff who played many impressive villains in 1980s, including the evil Soviet commander in Rambo 2. Berkoff, in a way, repeats the same role by utilising ethnic stereotypes. Male audience would, on the other hand, pay more attention to Sadie Frost and Tara Fitzgerald, two alluring British actresses who don’t hesitate to disrobe in number of scenes.
However, good casting isn’t enough to make film work. Director Thomas apparently didn’t know whether he made black comedy or straight thriller. His indecision reflects not only in confusing plot but also in poor quality of humour, with too many jokes revolving around certain bodily fluid referenced in There’s Something About Mary. Many of the scenes are unnecessary or brought into film in an annoyingly forceful fashion. As a result, the plot is confusing and becomes clear only near the end. By that time, any opportunity to rescue this film from sinking below mediocrity was already wasted. Rancid Aluminium was savaged by British critics and is often referenced as one of the worst British films made in last quarter of century. Although such verdict might be a tad harsh, few viewers would escape impression that authors of this film had pretensions way above their actual talents.
RATING: 3/10 (+)
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