Director Sean Foley’s Mindhorn is an inventive, silly, and very amusing comedy.
Richard Thorncroft is a washed-up actor, most famous for playing a detective with a robot eye that can ‘see the truth’. When a serial killer says he will only speak to Detective Mindhorn, Thorncroft must return to the Isle of Man to work with the police…
Written by Julian Barratt and Simon Farnaby, the premise of Mindhorn is an amusing one. A has-been actor from television show is called to reprise his famous character in order to help police catch a killer. Humour works on a number of levels. The premise of both the film and the fictional television show provides a lot of humour. Furthermore, there is the character of Richard and his interactions with others. This is particularly the case with the ragtag group of former colleagues. Finally, the narrative offers lots to laugh at. The latter half of the film is a bit more serious, as naturally is the case with a film of this sort. Yet the filmmakers are able to generate laughs even in dire circumstances.
The setting of Mindhorn works well. Isle of Man seems like the perfect location for the plot. The setting needed to be parochial in order to generate the sort of action that unfolds. The narrative makes the most of its setting, offering a landscape that is beautiful is some places, and drab in others. The film is well paced, with the action unfolding steadily. Costumes are good, especially in recreating an 80s look for the television show segments.
Julian Barrett is amusing as ever as the title character. He plays the role with the requisite charm and flippancy required. Andrea Riseborough, Russell Tovey, and Essie Davis are decent. There are good appearances from actors in minor roles, including Steve Coogan.
The film has sufficient heart to balance the absurdity of the action. This is a winning formula. Mindhorn is a genuinely entertaining comedy.
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