Buster

Surprisingly Entertaining, 15 February 2008

Author: gary-444 from United Kingdom


I "boycotted" this film for a long time for two main reasons. Firstly i hate Phil Collins brand of smarmy music, and secondly ,glamourising a nasty crime by paying to see it was morally not something i was prepared to do.

Although I stand by my original two points i have to confess that I got it wrong about the film.It is an affectionate retrospective view of Sixties England and has a touch of the "Ealing Studios" about it. The "mechanics" of the robbery are glossed over, and Phil Collins does a pretty competent job " carrying" the film, ably supported by the versatile Julie Walters as his long suffering wife.

Crime doesn't pay, the main players get picked up pretty quickly, and those that don't are either getting ripped off themselves or are looking over their shoulder all the time, or both. The period touches are largely sharply observed, the contemporary soundtrack faithful and enjoyable, Collins "Two hearts" and the Four Tops "Acupolco" totally dis-resonant from proceedings.

Viewed as a piece of period fiction it is entertaining, pacey, light and humorous.As an insight into the Robbery, Edwards or the gang it is laughable.