Focus seems to be strictly on style rather than substance with Plunkett & Macleane, a British costume-drama cum comedy swashbuckler set in the 18th century. Tagline for the film says 'They rob the rich...and that's it', which pretty much sums up the film - and its gung-ho, tongue-in-cheek attitude.
Anyway, Robert Carlyle is Plunkett - a poor thief, who has now developed into something of an expert highwayman. Jonny Lee Miller is Macleane - an upper-class socialite who has now been castigated from the elite. Their paths cross one night when they end up in prison for grave digging, resulting in a new found partnership-in-crime. With the use of Plunkett's criminal know how, and Macleane's links with the rich and famous, a profitable future can be made in robbing the rich and having a good laugh while doing so. Plunkett's poor background means the money is going towards a ticket and a way out to America, while Macleane sees it as one long adventure.
Along the way, a little romance is added to the melting pot when Macleane falls in love with Lady Rebecca (Liv Tyler) whose family is under threat from tough law enforcer Ken Stott, a kind of thief-finder general who is also hunting the illustrious P&M. Flashy and stylish it may be, the film doesn't grab much attention, even with dazzling shots of people running through blazing fireworks while shooting off flintlocks. Not being able to generate any excitement from the hold-ups, the film constantly resorts to using crass jokes about certain parts of the body and how they are affected by disease. On the up-side, performances are good - including Tyler, but it's Alan Cumming who gets all the best lines as a gay aristocrat, camping it up big time.
Anyway, Robert Carlyle is Plunkett - a poor thief, who has now developed into something of an expert highwayman. Jonny Lee Miller is Macleane - an upper-class socialite who has now been castigated from the elite. Their paths cross one night when they end up in prison for grave digging, resulting in a new found partnership-in-crime. With the use of Plunkett's criminal know how, and Macleane's links with the rich and famous, a profitable future can be made in robbing the rich and having a good laugh while doing so. Plunkett's poor background means the money is going towards a ticket and a way out to America, while Macleane sees it as one long adventure.
Along the way, a little romance is added to the melting pot when Macleane falls in love with Lady Rebecca (Liv Tyler) whose family is under threat from tough law enforcer Ken Stott, a kind of thief-finder general who is also hunting the illustrious P&M. Flashy and stylish it may be, the film doesn't grab much attention, even with dazzling shots of people running through blazing fireworks while shooting off flintlocks. Not being able to generate any excitement from the hold-ups, the film constantly resorts to using crass jokes about certain parts of the body and how they are affected by disease. On the up-side, performances are good - including Tyler, but it's Alan Cumming who gets all the best lines as a gay aristocrat, camping it up big time.
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