When William's attempts at suicide fail for the tenth time - including calls for help - he calls on retiring hitman, Leslie, to do the job. Then suddenly finds he has something to live for, and tries to reverse the plan with all the consequences that brings.
You may recognise the fact the word 'hilarious' doesn't appear before the word consequences, and it is this slight humour, throughout the movie, which lets down writer/director,Tom Edmunds, story. The actors being great in their roles, but the pacing more Sunday afternoon, rather than madcap comedy.
This doesn't mean there aren't some brilliantly funny moments in Dead in a Week, it's just they languish in slow delivery by elegantly crafted scenes which seem more fitting of a period drama. The whole affair gaining some momentum when Christopher Eccleston comes into play for a couple of brief scenes.
The slow pace also causes plot points to be massively telegraphed, which means the audience can see what's unfolding minutes before it does. William's blossoming love for Ellie not being an 'if' they will, simply a 'when'. Writing a comedy plot concerning suicide can't be easy, but if you're going to follow that path you possibly need to be slightly less sensitive to the subject matter as well, and play it more for laughs. Dialogue lines pertaining to other classic cult films, like the Princess Bride, stand out far too much for simply that reason and will only be apparent and distracting to a part of the audience.
This is a Sunday afternoon film, both quaint and never fully engaging, but still entertaining enough to keep you there. In the middle of the film I was reminded of In Bruges, and how I really wanted this film to have that one's pace and punch. Something I hope Edmunds develops, as he provides the potential, it just needs a bit more umph!
You may recognise the fact the word 'hilarious' doesn't appear before the word consequences, and it is this slight humour, throughout the movie, which lets down writer/director,Tom Edmunds, story. The actors being great in their roles, but the pacing more Sunday afternoon, rather than madcap comedy.
This doesn't mean there aren't some brilliantly funny moments in Dead in a Week, it's just they languish in slow delivery by elegantly crafted scenes which seem more fitting of a period drama. The whole affair gaining some momentum when Christopher Eccleston comes into play for a couple of brief scenes.
The slow pace also causes plot points to be massively telegraphed, which means the audience can see what's unfolding minutes before it does. William's blossoming love for Ellie not being an 'if' they will, simply a 'when'. Writing a comedy plot concerning suicide can't be easy, but if you're going to follow that path you possibly need to be slightly less sensitive to the subject matter as well, and play it more for laughs. Dialogue lines pertaining to other classic cult films, like the Princess Bride, stand out far too much for simply that reason and will only be apparent and distracting to a part of the audience.
This is a Sunday afternoon film, both quaint and never fully engaging, but still entertaining enough to keep you there. In the middle of the film I was reminded of In Bruges, and how I really wanted this film to have that one's pace and punch. Something I hope Edmunds develops, as he provides the potential, it just needs a bit more umph!