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Boxing Day

4/10

Stars: Danny Huston, Matthew Jacobs, Lisa Enos

Director: Bernard Rose

Property investment shark Basil Fenton (Huston), seeking a way out of debt, cons his local church into 'investing' three million dollars, and hires chauffeur Nick (Jacobs) to drive him off into the wilds of Colorado, where he plans to buy up foreclosed properties at a fraction of their value, do them up and sell them at a vast profit.

His wife (Enos) doesn't take too kindly to him leaving her and the kids to their own devices just before Christmas.

Meanwhile, Nick, muttering under his breath at the unwelcome assignment, tries unsuccessfully to work his way into affections of his own (estranged) wife and family.

The two men set off but, with Nick betraying his lack of experience with the car's satnav system, whom he calls Cynthia, they end up trapped in the ice and snow in the freezing middle of the night.

This is a film in which little happens, there are long stretches of driving, sleeping and dullness and the main interest lies in guessing which - if either - of the two men will survive their ordeal. Director/cinematographer Rose makes of this what he can, stretching the thin material (based on a story by Tolstoy) to feature length and relying on performances which, although interesting, are hardly award-winning.

David Quinlan

USA/UK 2012. UK Distributor: Independent/BFI. Colour (unspecified).
94 minutes. Not widescreen. UK certificate: 15.

Guidance ratings (out of 3): Sex/nudity 0, Violence/Horror 0, Drugs 0, Swearing 1.

Review date: 15 Dec 2012