If this sounds like a complex study of a web of relationships along the
lines of
Lantana,
be warned that it isn't. Many of the characters are
inserted randomly and disappear just as fast. There are so many unresolved
plot lines and relationships that you begin to wonder why some of the
characters are even in the film. Many scenes serve no purpose other than to
pad the running time out to a cheek-shifting 128 minutes. While Spall's
character engaged some sympathy, I found myself not remotely interested in
the plights of the other participants, and the end really couldn't come
soon enough.
One thing that can't be faulted (for the most part) is the acting. Spall
has become one of the most respected and sought after actors in the country
and his work here is excellent. With his sagging shoulders and his Droopy
like expression, he totally convinces as a man thoroughly fed up with his
lot in life. Very good too is Manville as his partner, while Sheen is
outstanding. The rest are pretty decent too although Ron and Carol are
little more than grotesque caricatures.
Many critics are raving about All Or Nothing. They might be right and I'm
just missing the point, but I found it a desperate chore to sit through.. At
the screening I attended, one audience member left after about fifteen
minutes and I desperately wanted to follow him. I've never walked out of a
film and I'm willing to bet I never shall, but this was a mighty close
call. As Spall's character would say, "It's whatsisname - shite".
DVDs reviewed by the editor are watched on a Panasonic TXW32R4 32" widescreen TV
connected to either a Creative Dxr2 DVD-ROM player or Microsoft Xbox and
played through a Sony STR-DB930 amplifier.
PC games reviewed by the editor are on:
Since Nov 2005: Intel Pentium D 830 3.0Ghz, 1Gb RAM, 128Mb nVidia GeForce 6700XL, Windows XP
Since Aug 2003: Intel Pentium 4 2.66Ghz, 512Mb RAM, 128Mb GeForce4 MX440 graphics, Windows XP
Since May 2003: Intel Pentium 4 2.6Ghz, 512Mb RAM, 128Mb ATI Radeon 9600TX graphics, Windows XP
Since Jun 2002: Intel Pentium III 600Mhz, 384Mb RAM, Windows 98 SE, 64Mb ATI Radeon 8500LE
Since May 2000: Intel Pentium III 600Mhz, 384Mb RAM, Windows 98 SE, Voodoo 3 3000 AGP
