Rapina a Belfast

Whole Lotta Sale or Stand off, whichever title this is being released (Germany was the former), I think will define the expectations of people watching it. I can not account for that, off course. Stand off does sound more intriguing, which can be seen in the main picture, but maybe says too much, while Whole Lotta Sale does not say anything at all, about the movie as it is.

Brendan Fraser has a nice little role, but it's the supporting cast, that makes the movie. There are some refreshing and funny takes on things (being Scottish vs. the Rest, Family issues in general and more). If you can dig those little things, you might come to like this movie more than the rating suggests on IMDb

It's as simple as that: take your classic heist movie, an Irish context, lots of unexpected situation and a real Murphy's law rampage.

The movie is fine, entertaining, with a handful of punchlines that made me laugh.

Acting is more than good, with veterans alongside young, very young and child actors all doing a great job.

This is not a masterpiece nor will never become a cult, it's just a nicely made funny wee movie you won't regret watching.

Have a pint, sit back and enjoy it.

Most reviewers gave a high score to this film and with a good reason, this is a good comedy, but the score displayed is around 4, that is simply put, ridiculous.

If you enjoyed good British comedies like walking ned divine, holly water and saving grace you will surely enjoy this one and Brendan fits very well in it as the American in ireland caught in the middle of good mess.

Don't miss it because one person had a low opinion of this film, there are those who will find the eiffel tower, the grand canyon, the beatles and mozart to be horrible and worthless.

In Belfast, the criminal Mad Dog Flynn (David O'Hara) cannot have a baby with his girlfriend. The gambler Jimbo (Martin McCann) has a baby and owes five thousand dollars to Mad Dog. The gangster proposes to exchange the debt for the baby and Jimbo decides to heist the Fish Market with his friend Sox (Conor MacNeil) using an automatic weapon from the IRA that belongs to Sox's grandfather. Meanwhile, the American Joe Maguire (Brendan Fraser) flees from his wife, whose father is a powerful mobster in Boston, and comes to Belfast to run his cousin's antique business. Joe dates his neighbor Sophie (Yaya DaCosta) and notes that Jimbo is frequently staring at him on the street. The clumsy Jimbo steals a suitcase from the Fish Market without knowing that it belongs to Mad Dog. However his escape plan fails and he runs to Joe's store. However he accidentally shots his gun and the police puts the place under siege. When Jimbo tells to Joe that he might be his son, the American sympathizes with the hoodlum and decides to help him negotiating with the police.

"Whole Lotta Sole" is a corny comedy lost in many unnecessary subplots. The story has a funny beginning and good gags but in a certain moment becomes boring and mawkish. My vote is five.

Title (Brazil): "O Negociador" ("The Negotiator")

Despite the low rating, I watched this because the storyline sounded interesting. Northern Ireland, crime, SAS...and a comedy. The plot is simple and you can work out most of what happens during the film. However, the script is entertaining, with a few laugh out loud lines. Colm Meaney plays his usual role, a dry, cynical detective. He has some of the better lines and generally carries the film. Brendan Fraser is fine but his role could have been developed further. Without giving things away, his background could have had more of an impact. He probably deserved to have more funny lines as well. Negatives - quite why the SAS are there I don't know. This could have been made into more of a story. Either make them contribute to the organised chaos, (making things worse or better, I don't mind), or omit them from the film entirely. This is probably more a British film than one for everybody. Perhaps the review which criticises the film is more the latter. I would give this about a 7/ 7.5 to be honest, watchable, enjoyable but not great.