Johnny English Review
by Shannon Patrick Sullivan (shannon AT morgan DOT ucs DOT mun DOT ca)August 4th, 2003
JOHNNY ENGLISH (2003) / ** 1/2
Directed by Peter Howitt. Screenplay by Neal Purvis, Robert Wade and William Davies. Starring Rowan Atkinson, Natalie Imbruglia, John Malkovich. Running time: 88 minutes. Rated PG by the MFCB. Reviewed on July 31st, 2003.
By SHANNON PATRICK SULLIVAN
Synopsis: French businessman Pascal Sauvage (Malkovich) has concocted a scheme to have himself crowned King of England so that he can turn the British Isles into a massive, profit-making prison. To this end, he contrives to blow up all of Britain's secret agents, leaving the fate of the country in the hands of the bumbling Johnny English (Atkinson), his sidekick Bough (Ben Miller), and possibly the mysterious and alluring Lorna Campbell (Imbruglia).
Review: Rowan Atkinson's character may be called Johnny English in this film, but he's not so far removed from Atkinson's more famous creation, Mr Bean. They both share a propensity for the same type of comic antics where we, the audience, know that something embarrassing is going to happen, and know what's going to happen, but just aren't sure how it's going to be achieved or what's going to happen on the way. This is exemplified in "Johnny English" by a scene in which Atkinson's character must parachute onto one of two nearby, virtually identical, buildings. Of course he'll end up on the wrong one, and realise his mistake only at the worst possible moment; the hilarity ensues from what happens in-between. That said, I'm not sure if Atkinson's creations really work in movie-length storylines. The big screen version of "Bean" was not as good as its TV counterparts, and "Johnny English" similarly has its share of dull patches and retreaded humour. It doesn't help that Atkinson virtually has to carry the film on his own: of the supporting cast, only Miller as the affable Bough is really praiseworthy. Malkovich is a bit lost behind his French caricature, and while Imbruglia doesn't embarrass herself, she adds to little to the proceedings. Fans of Atkinson's past work, then, should enjoy "Johnny English"; there's not much here, though, for the rest.
Copyright © 2003 Shannon Patrick Sullivan.
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