Much of Richard Driscoll's latest endeavour is a mixture of real-life and comic-strip. The story involves disillusioned, ageing cop Frank Macmillian (Michael Madsen) who becomes masked avenger 'The Enforcer', a vigilante who takes the law into his own hands.
The comic-strip feel extends to the majority of street scenes being obscured by a cartoon-like video effect reminiscent of the kind of thing used in early 80s music videos. It is also employed to hide the fact the streets aren't in New York - or even America - at all. Some of the dialogue is pretty ropey and grammatically challenged. 'Death to the innocence', 'as the city sleep', and 'the pain hurts'. Well, it would, wouldn't it?
Steven Craine (Driscoll's own stage name) plays William Bard, a criminal - how about that? - who greets his newfound freedom with an instant return to a life of crime. He becomes injured and needs surgical assistance on his face. After this, he is known as - wait for it - The Jester. Just as non-actor Craine channelled Sir Anthony Hopkins in 'Kannibal', his performance here is 'inspired' by the mighty Jack Nicholson in this leading role. Whereas Nicholson's appearance in 1989's 'Batman' was augmented by a soundtrack by Prince, here we have what sounds like Craine 'rapping' to a version of 'Money makes the world go around.'
During one scene, which like all the others, lasts far too long, Craine is doing his Joker routine in front of a class full of children. We know they are children because the teacher, also tied up, keeps reminding us all, "They're children, they're just children!" Whilst watching Craine prattling on about Shakespeare (his name is Bard, you see), it's difficult to imagine what is going through the minds of the youngsters hauled in to take part in this embarrassment. They look confused. And so they might, because Craine's every moment is excruciating. Like the rest of the cast, he sports an American accent, and his is by far the least convincing. Incidentally, the hapless teacher in this scene is named Mary Shelley. Elsewhere, stalwart Eileen Daly plays Elizabeth Bathory. There's a comedy computer called Tenyson. Possibly his name is a misspelling.
At one point, Barack Obama makes a cameo. Driscoll's casting endeavours know no limitations. I wonder - is the ex-President aware of his involvement?
Regarding the story, which could be said to meander, events appear often to be told in flashback. There's one where The Jester wipes out a room full of criminals. Patrick Bergin, who plays Patrick O'Donnell, is represented by a series of close-ups that seem to be cut in from a different recording.
I like Richard Driscoll. I like the fact he has no sense of self-awareness, and a confidence that ensures his film-making seems set to continue despite the results being so appalling and badly-received. His ego, in the face of all, continues to endure.
The comic-strip feel extends to the majority of street scenes being obscured by a cartoon-like video effect reminiscent of the kind of thing used in early 80s music videos. It is also employed to hide the fact the streets aren't in New York - or even America - at all. Some of the dialogue is pretty ropey and grammatically challenged. 'Death to the innocence', 'as the city sleep', and 'the pain hurts'. Well, it would, wouldn't it?
Steven Craine (Driscoll's own stage name) plays William Bard, a criminal - how about that? - who greets his newfound freedom with an instant return to a life of crime. He becomes injured and needs surgical assistance on his face. After this, he is known as - wait for it - The Jester. Just as non-actor Craine channelled Sir Anthony Hopkins in 'Kannibal', his performance here is 'inspired' by the mighty Jack Nicholson in this leading role. Whereas Nicholson's appearance in 1989's 'Batman' was augmented by a soundtrack by Prince, here we have what sounds like Craine 'rapping' to a version of 'Money makes the world go around.'
During one scene, which like all the others, lasts far too long, Craine is doing his Joker routine in front of a class full of children. We know they are children because the teacher, also tied up, keeps reminding us all, "They're children, they're just children!" Whilst watching Craine prattling on about Shakespeare (his name is Bard, you see), it's difficult to imagine what is going through the minds of the youngsters hauled in to take part in this embarrassment. They look confused. And so they might, because Craine's every moment is excruciating. Like the rest of the cast, he sports an American accent, and his is by far the least convincing. Incidentally, the hapless teacher in this scene is named Mary Shelley. Elsewhere, stalwart Eileen Daly plays Elizabeth Bathory. There's a comedy computer called Tenyson. Possibly his name is a misspelling.
At one point, Barack Obama makes a cameo. Driscoll's casting endeavours know no limitations. I wonder - is the ex-President aware of his involvement?
Regarding the story, which could be said to meander, events appear often to be told in flashback. There's one where The Jester wipes out a room full of criminals. Patrick Bergin, who plays Patrick O'Donnell, is represented by a series of close-ups that seem to be cut in from a different recording.
I like Richard Driscoll. I like the fact he has no sense of self-awareness, and a confidence that ensures his film-making seems set to continue despite the results being so appalling and badly-received. His ego, in the face of all, continues to endure.
