For fans of Jim Broadbent this is one of his early movies and is quite an entertaining film. Broadbent was up until this time was best known as the smarmy bent copper Slater, Del boys arch nemesis in "only fools and horses"
This channel 4 movie was made for TV back in 1991 and was clearly motivated by the property market crash of the late 1980's and early 1990's. The family bread winner an estate agent (realtor) Steven Parish falls foul of the property market and suddenly finds himself out of work. He does not have the courage to tell his wife and family and pretends to be going to work each day but in reality is driving about looking for work.
When the bills pile up he becomes desperate and decides that drastic action is needed and in the best tradition of "fun with Ted and Jane" decides to embark on a life of crime. So he stages a series of armed robberies on post offices and building societies (savings and loans) to raise some quick cash. In fact he's quite successful at this and eludes the police for a while. Despite the fact that Parish is wearing a ski mask eventually suspicion falls on him and he is questioned and tailed by the police. At this time he is forced to come clean with his wife and family about his predicament and despite the initial shock the family actually rallies round.
To get him off the hook and get the police off his back the family together conspire to plan another robbery but at the same time lay on a deception that will give Steven Parish an alibi. While under surveillance at his home Parish wearing a bright blue hooded top is seen repairing an out side window, however he goes inside for a few second and returns to the window. But it is not Parish rather than his eldest son who has the same build, this is in the best tradition of the Jack Jefferson (James Earl Jones) deception in the movie " the great white hope".
In the mean time Parish is able to sneak out and stage one more big robbery which is successful. In the end this scheme fools the police because they cross him off the list of suspects and then thats the end!
This channel 4 movie was made for TV back in 1991 and was clearly motivated by the property market crash of the late 1980's and early 1990's. The family bread winner an estate agent (realtor) Steven Parish falls foul of the property market and suddenly finds himself out of work. He does not have the courage to tell his wife and family and pretends to be going to work each day but in reality is driving about looking for work.
When the bills pile up he becomes desperate and decides that drastic action is needed and in the best tradition of "fun with Ted and Jane" decides to embark on a life of crime. So he stages a series of armed robberies on post offices and building societies (savings and loans) to raise some quick cash. In fact he's quite successful at this and eludes the police for a while. Despite the fact that Parish is wearing a ski mask eventually suspicion falls on him and he is questioned and tailed by the police. At this time he is forced to come clean with his wife and family about his predicament and despite the initial shock the family actually rallies round.
To get him off the hook and get the police off his back the family together conspire to plan another robbery but at the same time lay on a deception that will give Steven Parish an alibi. While under surveillance at his home Parish wearing a bright blue hooded top is seen repairing an out side window, however he goes inside for a few second and returns to the window. But it is not Parish rather than his eldest son who has the same build, this is in the best tradition of the Jack Jefferson (James Earl Jones) deception in the movie " the great white hope".
In the mean time Parish is able to sneak out and stage one more big robbery which is successful. In the end this scheme fools the police because they cross him off the list of suspects and then thats the end!
