- Film Review
- Reviewed By Dave Aldridge
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2 out of 5
Ray Cooney's "adult comedy" about a bigamous cabbie was a huge stage hit back in the 1980s. With options not taken up to adapt the play in the intervening years, Cooney has decided to co-direct a version himself. The obvious question to ask is why. Because, like the Carry Ons, this frantic farce is of its type and time. Unfortunately, there's no irony or retro self-awareness about this adaptation, which is played as if the last 30 years simply haven't happened. Danny Dyer stars as the two-timing taxi driver whose double life begins to unravel when he acts the hero one night, and Denise Van Outen and Sarah Harding play his oblivious wives. In support is a veritable who's-who (and often who's-that?) of ageing British stage and screen stars, from Rolf Harris and Judi Dench to Russ Abbot and June Whitfield. Dyer is a ball of energy in the lead and playing spot-the-celeb provides mild amusement. But, essentially, this is one for nostalgia lovers, who rue the passing of simpler, cornier and less-PC times.
Cast and crew
Cast
- John Smith
- Danny Dyer
- Michelle Smith
- Denise Van Outen
- Stephanie Smith
- Sarah Harding
- Gary Gardner
- Neil Morrissey
- Bobby Franklin
- Christopher Biggins
- Cyril
- Lionel Blair
- Dick Holland
- Jeffrey Holland
- Busker
- Barry Cryer
- Bag lady
- Judi Dench
- Busker
- Cliff Richard
- Busker
- Rolf Harris
- DS Troughton
- Ben Cartwright
- DS Porterhouse
- Nicholas Le Prevost
- Russ Abbot
- June Whitfield
- PC Pulford
- Derek Griffiths
Crew
- Director
- Ray Cooney
- Director
- John Luton
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