Man Dancin' (2003) User Reviews

Not a classic, but still an enjoyable British gangster flick

[wellthatswhatithinkanyway · 7/10 · 17 December 2005]

STAR RATING: ***** The Works **** Just Misses the Mark *** That Little Bit In Between ** Lagging Behind * The Pits

Just released from prison, Jimmy Kerrigan (Alex Ferns) wants to stick to the terms of his parole and stay out of trouble. But no sooner has he arrived back at his front door than his typically erstwhile younger brother Terry (Cas Harkins) is being hounded by a couple of local drug dealers who are unhappy he's been operating on their patch and Jimmy is left to take a beating for him. Also, his mother's at death's door, he's struggling to find work and he's being hounded by an uncompromising local gang boss (James Cosmo) and a persistent copper (Kenneth Cranham) who are both convinced he'll go back to his old ways. The only one who sees any hope for him is the local priest (Tom Georgeson) who gives Jimmy a part in a church play. This small act of kindness comes to be something Jimmy really throws himself into and uses as a lynchpin to turn his life around. But this new-found happiness cannot last forever and it's only a matter of time before Jimmy is dragged kicking and screaming back into the life he'd vowed to leave behind.

You'll certainly see worse 'gangster trying to go straight' flicks than Man Dancin'. It's comedic where it needs to be, touching where it needs to be and brutally hard where it needs to be. In his first notable role since leaving East Enders, Ferns provides a good, solid leading role who handles his material well, and he has good support in the shape of Cranham (the best of them), Harkins, Cosmo and so.

It loses it's way a little at the end and becomes a little rambling and incoherent but, like I said, you'll see far worse. ***

Rather Clichéd Melodrama

[Theo Robertson · 6/10 · 6 March 2008]

In its favour MAN DANCIN' opening titles shows us exactly where it's set - On a rundown council estate in Glasgow which I'm fairly certain in the notorious Gorbals so director Norman Stone can be proud that he's brought a very strong sense of place to his film . Unfortunately Sergio Casci's screenplay then hits the audience in the mouth with a cliché as soon as the credits stop . Hardman Jimmy Kerrigan is released from jail and gets into an argument with a couple of local yobs which ends up with him getting a serious doing . A few minutes later we're introduced to the local gangster kingpin Donnie McGlone and then local DI Pancho Villers and it's at this point you realise you're watching a Western uprooted to present day Glasgow . It's almost like watching Jean Luc Goddard's ALPHAVILLE where the visuals on screen are entirely different from what is written down on the page . Honestly you get the suspicion that the screenplay was written as a star vehicle for Clint Eastwood in the early 1970s where the man with no name is trying to go straight

Having said that at least the production team of MAN DANCIN' haven't aped the style of Guy Ritchie which is a major problem with British films featuring gangsters from the same period but would it be uncharitable to point out that both film makers and audiences had become terminally bored with this genre ? The cast do their best with the material but it's a very clichéd melodrama that is entirely about redemption but for some reason remains watchable . It's as forgettable as it is watchable too

"You owe me a passion play."

[classicsoncall · 7/10 · 24 February 2020]

Trying to go straight after a nine year prison stretch, it's simply assumed by the local crime boss and the police chief in his pocket that JImmy Kerrigan (Alex Ferns) will revert back to a life of crime. Set in Glasgow, Scotland, this is a run of the mill British gangster flick that doesn't hit quite as hard as the ones directed by Guy Ritchie. Some of the acting, including that of the principal character, go over the top in their characterizations, especially when Jimmy seeks to emphasize the roles of participants in the passion play Father Gabriel Flynn (Tom Georgeson) is attempting to put on with the help of fellow parishioners. It doesn't help that Jimmy's brother Terry (Cas Harkins) is snitching for the mob, while his mother lays dying in a hospital bed. The story becomes fairly formulaic as the mob goes after Jimmy, intimidating his friends, and rubbing out a key player in Jimmy's circle. I did like that name though, Johnny Bus-Stop (Tam White) who in an earlier time was known as Johnny Prophet when he played guitar with the Wise Guys. The story comes with an unexpected ending that for the time being gives a win to the good guys of St. Joseph's Parish, but I couldn't help feeling that the mobsters who ran the show up till then wouldn't be back very soon primed for vengeance.

Melodrama Anyone?

[jochooi · 19 February 2004]

Overall this movie is well above average. It gives a different spin to the usual gangster theme. It is a drama about an ex-convict trying to make it good in his old neighbourhood and all the obstacles he comes across. I noticed a Christianity theme which was fairly prevalent throughout the film. Right form the beginning when he 'turned the other cheek' through to his 'sacrifice' at the end. Alex Ferns (as Kerrigan) puts in a very credible performance as the reformed convict. You can almost feel his frustration as he holds himself back from lashing out at those badass criminals. Obviously Brits will appreciate him more given his background as the badboy in Eastenders. James Cosmo was excellent as the Kingpin 'Quinn'. I'd only wish be got what he had coming to him (no wife beater ever gets away in my books/films). Some of the locations picked for this show are classic. Was it the Glasgow Royal Infirmary for the hospital scenes? I tried to look for clues but couldn't see any. The clincher for me was the 'Garage' nightclub in Glasgow! Again this will strike a note with locals. You've not seen Glasgow until you've been to 'The Garage'!! The toilet scene in particular is not far from reality! In summary, Melodrama? Maybe. But good melodrama nonetheless(4/5 stars).

Should of stayed as Tevor and I Dislike East Enders

[ed_two_o_nine · 4/10 · 11 March 2008]

Well now this strange movie. It was listed as a comedy but I certainly found nothing to laugh at. Actually I am struggling to find anything positive to say about this film. Oh here I go. Alex Ferns is not bad in the lead role and I did not pick the ending for a change, but apart from that this has no great direction solidly two dimensional characters and is not funny enough to be a comedy or serious or dark enough to be any form of decent drama. I would really avoid ever having to watch this movie again and think it does nothing to benefit any of the working class characters it is attempting to portray. I found it hard to empathise for any of the characters and was not given enough information on the lead character Jimmy to believe his motives. Best avoided.

A gritty British gem with rare uplifting qualities

[Cuthbert96 · 9/10 · 22 February 2004]

Shortly before attending the English premiere of this film, I was apprehensive about how much I was going to enjoy it. Alex Ferns, known only to me as Trevor from Eastenders, didn't seem to be my cup of tea, and I feared the film would be pretty standard artsy, violent independent movie fare.

I was very wrong, and very pleasantly surprised by the film. The direction and the acting performances - most notably from Alex Ferns and James Cosmo - were top notch. The atmosphere of the film was realistic without seeming boring, and the story was very carefully told. I thought it took a while to get going and get to the real meat of the story, but once it did, the endearing characters and tense plot made it a really enjoyable movie. It manages to create several highly amusing scenes, and also some shocking or upsetting ones. I am very pleased to say that I was moved by the film.

I feel it's going to be one of those 'love it or hate it' movies. If you get it, then you're really going to enjoy it. If you don't get it, then it might just seem like another depressing urban gangster film. Personally, however, I found it to be both uplifting and memorable, and by the end of the film I was all to happy to eat my apprehensive words from before it began.

All in all, I give it 8 stars. Truly great cinema, definately worth a watch and a great addition to any collection of British films.

A (sometimes comedic) gangster action and thought-provoking drama about a guy just out of prison wanting to leave a world of crime but it follows him around.

[artylrobb · 10/10 · 13 January 2007]

When I first heard about Man Dancin', I was told it had parallels to the story of Christ. This worried me slightly because, trying to give a message often becomes contrived, but the amazing thing about this film is, it was able to combine a strong and well-structured storyline with a thought-provoking message. It doesn't faff about trying to please the churched and, in my opinion, paints a pretty believable gang environment.

There is a gripping drama, with great humour and a gut-wrenching finale. It is well-acted, well-directed and WAY under advertised.

In my opinion, a must see! Well done Norman Stone and co! Leah

Lots in it if ya looking'

[Peter_C_Hall · 9/10 · 23 December 2012]

Good flick...

This is much more than a Glasgow gangster movie.

It's much more.

This is about redemption, the cost of redemption, integrity, honesty, integrity of a message, what happens when you water down a message, you have to keep lying to cover up lies, what price are you prepard to pay for integrity ?, and that you can't kill off truth because it will rise again.

It is well acted. The music is Scottish without being poxy. (You know what I mean...corny bagpipes). The music works well.

I have no idea the lead actor was in Eastenders, so I had no preconceived ideas. He did well in taking his character away from being one dimensional.

It obviously was not a high budget movie, but don't let that put you off. It actually gave it a down to earth feel.

A very good movie. Look below the surface and be very rewarded.

Saw it before it was released.

[lesleyannf · 23 March 2004]

I saw this film at a test screening in Glasgow. Personally i thought it sucked big time, but then again "gangster" films aren't really my kinda thing. It was good to see a Scottish film for a change, in a setting which is really familiar to me, especially the Garage!! Haha. However, i don't think that people from anywhere other than Scotland would understand most of it!!

I thought however, that in the version we saw, the whole passion play part of it wasn't explained very clearly, and that it was a little far fetched in parts.

It's also good to see Scottish Talent being used because i think we don't see enough of our talent on the screen.

A look back after 12 years

[f_d_e · 10/10 · 2 January 2015]

12 years ago Man Dancin' came out and it was luckily enough an amazing film about how much involvement there was in Gangland Glasgow. Many people working on the film as extras came from a couple of the locations used. However it is looking back on it now much much of the film can be used to describe Glasgow's culture now. Having been involved with the film it is remarkable how well crafted Sergio Casci's writing played to convey Glasgow's historical problem with Religious sectarianism and how much has been done to reduce this. Another brilliant craft is and was the usage of actors who have since been stalwarts in Scottish television. Frank Gallagher is the undisputed and underrated actor in the whole production and his verve to provide comic relief in a somewhat serious film about life and death proves invaluable to the audience's experience of Glasgow's culture.