Storyline

Ginley (Albert Finney) is a nightclub bingo caller eager for a career change. On his thirty-first birthday, he advertises himself as a private eye in the newspaper. He dons a trench coat, and begins engaging others in rapid-fire dialogue as if he were Humphrey Bogart, or some Dashiell Hammett creation. Soon after, Ginley is phoned by a fat man, who gives him a package containing a gun, a photograph, and a large sum of money. Eventually Ginley is investigating a case involving smuggling of weapons as well as drugs. Ginley also finds himself at odds with his unsupportive brother, who offers Ginley payment to break off his investigations. Eventually Ginley learns of his brother-in-law's involvement in the crimes at hand. Ginley faces a series of daunting tasks: solving the crimes, bringing justice to the smugglers (and a murderer), as well as maintaining his safety and sanity in the process.—veloc

Plot Keywords

murder, newspaper ad, reference to world war two, kidnapped woman, british intelligence, villainess, amateur detective, liverpool, kidnapping, heroin, london england, bookstore, library, stand up comedian, smuggler, bingo, molotov cocktail, bombing, neo noir, alter ego

Short Review

It's an extraordinarily funny film, funny in a way that is neither patronising of its audience's intelligence nor complacent about its own.

Trailer

Streaming Service

1. Amazon Video : Rent from $1.99, Or $0.00 with a Prime membership

2. Apple iTunes : Track Price: 12.99, Track Rental Price: 3.99, Collection Price: 12.99, Track Hd Price: 12.99, Track Hd Rental Price: 3.99, Collection Hd Price: 12.99

3. Vudu : [SD - Buy: 13.99, Rent: 2.99] [HDX - Buy: 13.99, Rent: 3.99]