Le Donk & Scor-zay-zee
A long-haired Paddy Considine plays the titular "Le Donk" (real name Nicholas), a middle-aged, dim-witted, fame-hungry roadie and failed musician whose recent split with his girlfriend has left him a tad depressed and lonely. So, naturally, he invites kitchen-sink realism director Shane Meadows to document a few days of his bizarre life. Meadows follows his unreliable anti-hero as he tries to claim back his pregnant girlfriend, Olivia (Olivia Colman), acts as one of the roadies for The Arctic Monkeys, and tries to secure Scor-Zay-Zzee a support slot for the Sheffield band's Manchester gig.
Along the way there are a few touching moments - Le Donk's wistful description to Scor of a blissful morning with Olivia is moving and reveals the full extent of Donk sadness for the first time - but there are also several standout comedy moments. Considine shines as the childish, but sympathetic, Donk, while his sidekick Scor is a street poet trapped in the body of a teddy bear. Together, they are a not-so-dynamic, rib-tickling duo that is equal parts ridiculous and believable.
Meadows has pulled one of the funniest films of the year out of the bag with "Le Donk", while the fact that it was shot in five days, largely improvised and made on a shoe-string budget makes this film an even more impressive and inspiring feat. Meadows will have to share the praise for this film with Considine, however, who unveils his comedy chops to brilliant effect, while real-life rapper Scor-Zay-Zee adds an extra dimension to the film with his sharp lyrics and bumbling demeanour. A surprisingly entertaining and original film, "Le Donk & Scor-Zay-Zee" is another impressive addition to Shane Meadows' stunning CV.