HomeARTSSomething Sour, Something Sweet: Plunkett and McCleane (1999)

Something Sour, Something Sweet: Plunkett and McCleane (1999)

By RACHEL BOLTON
Staff Writer

Note: In my review last week I said that I would be reviewing the film Harry Brown. However, on closer inspection I found that it would not be an entertaining review. It’s a good movie, but hard to turn into a humorous article.

Rating: Sweet
Plunkett and McCleane is a marvelous penny dreadful of a movie. Set in England in 1748, it tells the (very fictionalized) tale of infamous highwaymen William Plunkett (Robert Carlyle) and James McCleane (Jonny Lee Miller).  The movie veers into the goofy and cliché at certain points, but it’s a fun adventure for a dull day.

Down on his luck, gentlemen soldier McCleane gets tossed in jail with vengeful highwayman Plunkett. Despite their initial hatred of each other, the pair realizes that they need what the other has got. McCleane needs money and Plunkett is willing to steal. Plunkett needs to know who to steal from and McCleane has connections as a gentleman.

The partnership works well for a while. McCleane spots out the wealthy at parties and then he and Plunkett rob them on their way back home. Things get complicated when McCleane falls in love with Lady Rebecca (Liv Tyler) a woman they rob. To make matters worse he has a gambling and drinking issue, which depletes their plunder. And, not to mention, their antics are catching the attention of the evil thief taker General Chance, the man Plunkett wants revenge on.

The strength of the movie comes from its setting. The film shows how miserable the conditions were for the poor during the 1740s, making it easier to sympathize with our titular thieves. Another bonus is the performance of Alan Cummings as an extremely foppish nobleman.  He is hilarious and steals every scene he is in. I was also happy with how they portrayed Lady Rebecca. She may have been the love interest, but she pulls out her pistol in climax and starts shooting bad guys.

Sadly this movie has its issues too.  It is supposed to be a buddy comedy with shades of black humor. Unfortunately, the buddy part needed some work.  Plunkett and McCleane are supposed to be equals but with opposite skills, Plunkett as the “brains” and McCleane as the “brawn.” But Plunkett ends up being both.  McCleane is a bit stupid and cares more about pleasures of life.

What goes wrong for them is mostly his fault and he takes advantage of his partner’s skills. Plunkett is a more rounded character. He wants revenge for the death of his previous partner and ends up in duel because he stopped a man from beating up a prostitute. I will not give anything away; the entire ending is about how awesome Plunkett is.

The soundtrack is film’s other weakness. I do not think that in the 1740’s people danced to disco music at balls. The techno music is most grating in the beginning but it gradually disappears by the end. I expect and enjoy anachronism when it’s done well, but the music is out of place. Alan Cumming’s Rochester has an eyebrow piercing, It’s a small detail, but irritating to notice.

All in all, the good outweighs the bad. I had fun watching this movie.  The robberies and battles are action-filled and witty. Plunkett and Rochester are the strongest points of the movie and it’s worth it to see them as action heroes. The costumes and makeup make the world real to the audience and the powdered wigs are hilarious.  If you are in the mood for a black comedy with outrageous characters and plot, try Plunkett and McCleane.

 

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