CLOSE BUT NO CIGAR

Cinemavixion Review

Tom and Will Hutt's 2017 crime comedy "Close But No Cigar" presents a darkly humorous look at the consequences of entanglement in shady dealings. The film follows Scott and his less-than-sharp companion, Joel, as they are drawn into the chaotic world of Scott's Uncle George. What begins as a seemingly simple task of acquiring a vintage VW Campervan quickly escalates into a spiral of debt collectors, opportunistic dog thieves, and the chilling presence of a psychopath. The narrative expertly weaves together elements of rural British life with escalating peril, creating a 'comedy of errors' where the protagonists, despite their best efforts, consistently fall short of their goals. While the film may not have garnered major awards, its unique blend of low-stakes rural charm and high-stakes criminal absurdity makes it a noteworthy, albeit perhaps niche, entry in the crime-comedy genre. The performances, particularly from Paul Baverstock, Tim Charles, and William Wolfe Hogan, anchor the film's descent into comical desperation.