A strange black comedy - the sort that looks at life through a fish-eye lens. All of the characters are off-kilter and one or two downright sinister. Definitely off his rocker, judging by the way he keeps thumping the side of his head and twitching - is Alistair (Grant), a failed hair-tonic salesman who reluctantly journeys to Southend to bring back the father he hasn't seen for 27 years. En route he resolves to kill him instead. Dad provides a prime part for the superbly rumpled Elliott, first encountered being sick into a plastic carrier (he hands it to Alistair), whose sole possessions seem to be a canary and a ventriloquist's dummy. Most of the laughs, though, come from Julie Walters as the glitzy but ageing seaside belle Dad currently has in tow. It's a bizarre brew and its pacing could do with a bit more frenzy. But relax a bit and you'll enjoy at least some of it.


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