MovieChat Forums > Friends & Crocodiles (2006) Discussion > Avoid at all costs

Avoid at all costs

posted 18 years ago by are_you_in
11 replies | jump to latest

I was really looking forward to this but it was such a disappointment,
As another viewer commented, this feature length production is pretty empty- both of story and characters. The two leads are both very irritating and have no real depth to them. How she ever becomes attached to him is never shown. The only scenes they share are ones in which she is reprimanding him for some minor incident. In fact the only thing they ever do together at work is a colour coded file system, as if it was some work of genius. She even later calls him her mentor- though we never see him teach her anything. Paul isn't half as enigmatic as he is made out to be either.

All Friends and Crocodiles is, is a succession of shots of grand parties against the backdrop of the 1980s/1990s (with the obligatory brick mobile phone joke). There's a vague sense of whimsy about the story but it all feels rather forced. We never cared about these characters in the first place- so when their various falls from grace and rises to fortune happen it we just don't care.

I'm sure the writer/directors other work is all very good (like the 'The Lost Prince'), and whilst 'Friends and Crocodiles' all looks very lavish and picturesque there is really nothing at all to it.

My Dad summed it up perfectly as the credits rolled- 'Pathetic'

[–] nemozup 18 years ago

I agree, it was nothing but a pretentious load of twaddle. Poliakoff's script had no real depth and aside from the occasional spark from Jodhi May, the acting was pretty poor considering the wealth of talent involved, although Damian Lewis surely has one of the biggest egos around.

Although I disliked 'Friends and Crocodiles', I'm pretty sure 'Gideon's Daughter' (set for transmission at the end of February) will live up to my expectations as it features the great Bill Nighy and the marvellous Miranda Richardson.

Do I look like a people person?

[–] are_you_in 18 years ago

Im glad someone agrees with how pretentious this was though. On the user comments most people seem to agree with the 10/10 reviews for some reason...possibly its either crew members who worked on it or people taken in by the lavish settings etc.

'Damian Lewis surely has one of the biggest egos around'

Aint that the truth.

I never heard of Gideon's Daughter actually, but will still watch it because other than this production most of his work seems pretty good really. Do you know when they are playing Perfect Strangers reruns??? on BBC 4 possibly, because that looked awesome

[–] nemozup 18 years ago

http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcfour/cinema/features/poliakoff-season.shtml

According to the BBC4 website, the first episode is on 29 February, and the second and third on 5 February. I highly recommend it, this is one of Poliakoff's better works.

Do I look like a people person?

[–] are_you_in 18 years ago

thanks man, thats really useful...though Ill probably miss it at Uni

[–] malonerr 18 years ago

"Damian Lewis surely has one of the biggest egos around

Aint that the truth."

What makes you say that Damian Lewis has a big ego? I had the chance to meet him at a film festival once he was very nice and polite. The film was called Keane and he was excellent in it. I had never heard of him or the movie before but a friend wanted to see it. The director was there and both of them were funny and interesting during the Q&A. Afterwards Lewis made himself available to fans, answering questions, allowing photos, posing for pictures with the fans. I decided to ask him to sign my program. He asked my name and where I was from and he thanked me for coming to see the film and addressed the autograph to me personally. He seemed genuinely interested in what people had to say and he asked a lot of questions. He didn’t rush anyone even though someone came to tell him that a car for waiting for him. One woman was very nervous and she kept fumbling and apologizing when trying to take his picture. He tried to put her at ease, told her to take her time and he checked to make sure she had a good photo before moving on.

Earlier I had attended another screening that featured a big star that I really admired and wanted to meet; but he was very brusque, said “sorry, I’m in a hurry” in an annoyed voice to all the people waiting for him and rushed out. Damian Lewis on the other hand was pleasant and not at all arrogant. I know he has played some very arrogant roles on the television but he is friendly and natural in person, at least in my experience.

[–] are_you_in 18 years ago

[–] Aberdeenfortheolympics 18 years ago

Oh right ok, i mean ive never met him but its just he always seems to play these full of themselves characters on TV. He also always seems to be the lead in whatever the biggest UK TV production there is recently. I know its dumb to judge people like that but he just always gave me that impression. I guess i was wrong
__________________________________

Yeah I would tend to agree with the other poster he comes across as a decent fella in my opinion and a pretty decent actor.

Jesus is coming, look busy.

[–] thatsnumberwang 18 years ago

This movie was horrendous. All three of the main players absolutely wasted their talents on this dreck. I too could not believe he got so excited about a damn color code! I guess that's how Britain managed to rule half the world, through strokes of genius like that.

It's such a shame too, because the premise had promise (unintentional rhyme!). Oh and PS what the hell was that with the naked fat chick in the jacuzzi with her kids? This movie sucks.

[–] dinky26 18 years ago

It wasn't an easy story, that I'll admit (which is pretty unusual for T.V.) And the abrupt jumps in years could get confusing, but it was a solid story. He was convinced his way was right, and it was for a while and then he lost everything. She was convinced her way was right, and it was for a while and then she lost everything. In the end, they realize a balanced approach is best. You might say, so what, who cares, but if you work in a field with constantly opposing philosophies, then you can appreciate its Rodney King-like message.

[–] 18 years ago

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[–] adam-thirnis 18 years ago

Agreed. It was specious nonsense. Like "the Tribe".