High Heels and Low Lifes

Shannon (Driver) is an NHS nurse, Frances (McCormack) a struggling American actress. They are best friends. Shannon’s boyfriend is an urban sound sculptor who records random cell phone conversations for his sound collages. After a boozy night, celebrating Shannon's birthday, they overhear a conversation between two crooks, who are in the process of breaking into the vaults of a bank in their street. They report it to the police, who take no notice, being too busy with Saturday night mayhem at the station. They decide to take matters into their own hands and demand money from the gang in exchange for their silence.

The twosome’s plan gets out-of-hand when the gangs gay boss aka The Poof (Gambon) orders ruthless hood Mason (McNally), to deal with the girls. They must also keep one step ahead of two inept detectives (Eldon and Williams) who are on their trail.

Whilst the plot may have holes in it the size of shotgun blasts, this is doesn’t detract from the film. It isn’t a serious gangster movie, it’s a stereotypical British film (but with better-than-average jokes). Director Mel Smith knows his comedy ("Bean" was a massive success, and as an actor-performer, he is well known on film and television) and manages to bring out the best from the script and performers. Overall this is a very enjoyable film with lots of laughs which doesn’t take itself too seriously.

Ben Goddard