Stand Off (2011)
"Whole Lotta Sole" (original title)

The story centers on a botched fish market robbery that leads to the involvement of the local police and a gangster out for revenge.

Director:

Terry George

Writers:

Thomas Gallagher (screenplay), Thomas Gallagher (story),

Stars:

Brendan Fraser, Colm Meaney, Martin McCann

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Brendan Fraser	...	Joe Maguire
Colm Meaney	...	Detective Weller
Martin McCann	...	Jimbo
Yaya Alafia	...	Sophie (as Yaya DaCosta)
David O'Hara	...	Mad Dog Flynn
Michael Legge	...	Randy Weller
Conor MacNeill	...	Sox
Frankie McCafferty	...	Skins
Rupert Wickham	...	Captain Farnsworth
Mary McCrossan	...	Annie
Amanda Hurwitz	...	Mary Ellen
Marie Jones	...	Ma Flynn
James Greene	...	Granda Sox
Jamie Kierans	...	Petie
James Napier	...	Paulie

Storyline

In a misguided attempt to protect his family and pay back gambling debts to the local Mobster, Jimbo robs a fish market, which is coincidentally owned by the same Mobster. On the run, Jimbo is cornered in a local curio shop, where he takes hostage an assortment of colorful characters, including Maguire, who may be his illegitimate father. Surrounded by the Police, the SAS, and the Mobster's crew, the young man must find a way out of his precarious predicament with the help of his oddball captives.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

17 January 2013 (New Zealand)

Also Known As:

Stand Off

Filming Locations:

Downpatrick, County Down, Northern Ireland, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Generator Entertainment, Media Pro Six, Menlo Park Productions

Technical Specs

Color:

Color

User Reviews

A pleasant surprise and an engaging diversion.

About ten minutes into this film l, like others before me l am sure found myself making an association with Guy Ritchie's seminal Brit crim films. That is no bad thing. However instead of looking for more parallels, l was instead transported into other areas by the film, which for all its comic elements, manages to hit a number of other bases as well. Director Terry George, while giving a nod to Lock, Stock etc, in passing decided to move into other, unexplored territory. So while there is some comedy, there is also drama and even suspense in places. The plot in places may seem too far fetched for some, but it is all tied together fairly neatly. There are also some references to 'the troubles' and even a family that is divided between Protestant and Catholic. Some critics will point out that the film is making light of a serious subject but anyone who has seen Four Lions will know that a little laughter in such situations can go a long way to relieving the tension. Brendon Fraser gives a solid performance as an American hiding out from a domestic disaster that has mob implications. The characters he finds himself among are a diverse group, which shows how cosmopolitan many European cities have become over the last twenty years. Lurking in the background is of course a menacing gangster with sinister intentions, a hapless victim or two and a crusty copper played with great aplomb by Colm Meaney, who steals most scenes. There are a couple of cases of mistaken identity that help add a layer or two of confusion, some cardboard cutout characters, plenty of incompetence and lots of differing family values. After about ten minutes l stopped trying to make associations with other films and simply settled back to enjoy this engaging little caper.