Although there aren't too many outright laughs in comedian Mel Smith's debut film as director, it's a jolly and lively romp with some highly original ideas. Directorially, it's a bit of a mess, sloppily edited and shapeless. But there are compensations. A musical monstrosity based on The Elephant Man, for example, is such a hoot that you'd like to see the whole show! The same goes for the musical follow-up, Dirty Dick, inspired by Shakespeare's Richard III. Hollywood's Jeff Goldblum is suitably laconic in the title role, as a 'bit' actor desperate for a break, Emma Thompson shows off her offbeat personality (and a lot else) as the uninhibited heroine and Rowan Atkinson is wonderfully obnoxious as the comedian for whom Goldblum has to stooge at the beginning of the story. The director himself makes a rather predictable guest appearance as a belching drunk and Angus Deayton can be spotted briefly as an aspiring actor.


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