Jamie passion and passionfruit!

British comedy of the old school which means unbelievable situations and a suspension of disbelief most of the way-  Simon Pegg, Thandie Newton (too gorgeous to be a credible love interest for the lead and Hank Azaria do what they can with a surfeit of weirdo supporting artists as an unfit loser tries to finish the London marathon to win back his girl!  It is bearable watching for a rainy day but you can’t help feeling you should be doing something more worthwhile as there is nothing original in this.

 

*  * 

Nominees:

 

Bong Joon-hoo (The Host)

Tim Burton (Sweeney Todd)

Joel and Ethan Coen (No Country for Young Men)

David Cronenberg (Eastern Promises)

Mel Gibson (Apocalypto)

Phyllida Lloyd (Mamma Mia)

Sarah Polley (Away from Her)

 

Special Mention

 

Mel Gibson

 

Mel takes a tough assignment and combines a thriller, an adventure and a historical drama into a film that may not be perfect but achieves a lot.

 

Winner

 

Joel and Ethan Coen

 

Bloody violent and yes, just plain bloody but of its type and for its daring the Coen’s create a stunning piece of work with a mastery of direction.