Tuesday 30 November 2021

The Outlaws (2021 Stephen Merchant & co-scr)

Written with Elgin James but inspired by Merchant's memories of his mother working as a community service supervisor. Good drug / crime thriller element incorporated well with humour. Opens up to have revealing character studies, e.g Eleanor Tomlinson's influencer with a serious temper problem.

Loved the Halloween reference in episode 2. And Merchant being caught with prostitute. And his burgeoning sweet relationship with Tomlinson.

The 'outlaws' are: Rhianne Baretto, Stephen Merchant, Christopher Walken, Darren Boyd, Gamba Cole, Clare Perkins, and Eleanor Tomlinson (Poldark), supervised by Jessica Gunning. With Dolly Wells, Nina Wadia, Aiyana Goodfellow, Ian McElhinney, Charles Babalola, Claes Bang, Richard E Grant.

"I've been to my father with bad ideas before."
"Such as what?"
"Tonic flavoured gin..."

And Aiyana getting the cops over as a distraction. "I'm fifteen and I'm on my own. There's people with hoodies outside, smoking drugs. (Beat) And they're black." "We'll be right with you." Wickedly funny reversal of negative stereotyping. More of this needed.

The incidental music often seems a Morricone western homage. Bristol location refreshing. Other writer involved: John Butler, who directed episodes 3-6.


Loved it. 'The Rat' by Banksy is painted over at the end (no doubt a tribute to Blek le Rat).

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