Eyes down: Gavin, Linda and Kay (Hughes, Macdonald and Smith) do their best to keep La Scala from going under...
Linda (Macdonald) works in La Scala, a fading bingo palace in South Wales owned by the energetic and inventive Mr Anzani (Jones), who over the decades has continually reinvented La Scala to what the community wants--music hall, theatre, cinema. Now the problem is MegaBingo--"the UK's biggest bingo arena"--which is about to open down the road. Even his star caller Gavin (This Life's Hughes) is tempted by the even bigger limelight. Then Linda realises she has a gift for picking the bingo numbers, and she decides with her aunt (Margolyes) to work the system to save La Scala ... and settle an old family score.
The silly story is balanced by a wacky filmmaking style that uses colourful sets and costumes, outlandish camera movements and witty music to maximum effect. The performances are all lively and fun, with a terrific scene-stealing turn from Smith (as Linda's over-the-top coworker Kay). But as you smile at the on-screen antics, you long for just a tiny bit of substance. Even the threat to the Olde Worlde lacks teeth--it's merely the way things are, so get on with it. But the story avoids predictability with its light handling of the romance between Linda and Gavin, and some clever plotting that goes nicely against expectations. Escapist fun, a good laugh, nothing more.
[15--themes, language] 3.Mar.00
UK release 31.Mar.00
