"“Although the script is mediocre and the acting rather below-par, the intriguing premise that exists keeps the audience on side...”"
Although finally earning a theatrical release this Spring, John McKenzie's second feature film 12 in a Box is in fact a 2007 production, meaning it has taken an incredible six years to have found its way to the big screen. A somewhat telling clue as to how this British comedy may play out. It's been six years for a reason, that's for sure.
We follow a group of people attending a school reunion at a remote country mansion, collecting together a range of former students from across the years. However upon their arrival the group are informed via video message from their old headteacher that he has left his fortune to this group, with cheques made out to each one of them for a sum of one million pounds each. However the catch is, they must stay in this house for 96 hours, and no-one is allowed to leave nor tell anyone why they must stay. A series of misfortunate events - such as Barry (Kenneth Collard) supposedly getting married during the time and therefore having to tell his fiancé Rachel (Miranda Hart) that he can't make the wedding – makes this seemingly straightforward task rather testing, as the strict rules that are in place may not be bent if these people want to take home their surprise fortune.
Although the script is mediocre and the acting rather below-par, fortunately for McKenzie, the intriguing premise that exists keeps the audience on side, holding down the viewers attention right until the very end, as you do wish to know how this film will conclude, and whether the group have remained successful in their attempt despite the challenging circumstances that arise.
Although evidently inspired by the Ealing comedies of old, this film does suffer from attempting to be too immoderate and frivolous, and would benefit had it gone down a more darker route, exploring exactly what lengths people would go to for a bit of money. You'd almost like to see this story in the hands of someone like Charlie Brooker. Of course this is going for laughs and takes on a farcical form, yet the narrative could actually make for a quite compelling picture, if handled better. If you are going to go down the more comedic route, which is perfectly justifiable, it would help greatly if you have more refined and gifted comic performers, not Miranda bloody Hart.
12 in a Box has become known as “that Miranda Hart film”, especially as her face is plastered all over the promotional campaign for this – yet the aforementioned actress is barely in it. In fact, there isn't a single female character that has been written well at all, all lacking in any depth, and far too inclined to surrender to their morals with little care nor worry. If they aren't a lesbian, they're trying to sleep with every man in there.
However one must take this for what it is; a very silly film that, in fairness, is quite good fun in parts, and one that certainly doesn't try to be anything it isn't. Not that I would recommend it as such, but you could a lot worse than sticking this on the telly on a lazy Sunday afternoon. Though bear in mind your weekend is only two days long.
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