Genre: Comedy

Director: Gillies MacKinnon     

Cast: Gregor Fisher, Eddie Izzard, Sean Biggerstaff, Noah Battrick, Kevin Guthrie, Ellie Kendrick, and James Cosmo

Studio: Arrow Films

Runtime: 98 Minutes

Release Date: In theaters Friday, May 12, 2017

Rated: NR

Rating ★★★★★

World War II is a subject I love, as are comedies so I hoped mixing the two together would be a match made in heaven. Whisky Galore! certainly looked like the film for me.

The setup for Whisky Galore! seemed quite promising. Based on the true story of a ship wreck, the film takes place on the Scottish island of Todday in 1943. Despite being in the midst of World War II, the island is largely unaffected and its inhabitants go about their regular lives. That is, however, until the town runs out of its beloved whisky. Desperate for another drop of the libation, the townspeople think their prayers are answered when a freighter carrying 50,000 cases is marooned off the coast of the island. But, English commander Wagget (Eddie Izzard) wants to confiscate the cargo, resulting in a battle of wits with the townsfolk.

Eddie Izzard as Wagget

Gillies MacKinnon’s direction is fantastic. The cinematography and music perfectly set the tone and make you feel like you’re on a remote Scottish island while watching the movie. Whisky Galore! succeeds in transporting you back to the 1940s.

Those are probably the best elements the movie has going for it because unfortunately, Whisky Galore! squanders a talented cast with a film that is boring to watch, offering up only occasional chuckles. It’s a shame because the film’s premise holds so much promise.

The film is really very slow for a comedy and lacks any tension or forward momentum. It never feels like Whisky Galore! is building to anything meaningful. There are some sequences that offer comedic potential, such as the islanders trying to hide their whisky inside walls or gutters during raids.This should be hilarious but the execution lacks bite or creativity. 

Izzard offers up some entertaining scenes, with his dry wit resulting in the most laughs. Seeing him get increasingly flustered in his efforts to stop the townspeople from looting the whisky is charming to watch and manages to keep you interested enough to keep watching.

Gregor Fisher as Macroon

Macroon (Gregor Fisher) is the town’s shopkeeper and the one who leads in the looting. Fisher is likeable as this character and the interactions he shares with Izzard are fun to watch when their two characters engage in a mental chess game. Unfortunately, though, Fisher’s performance doesn’t elevate his character beyond being a kind old man.

None of the townsfolk and their stories are interesting. There’s Sergeant Odd (Sean Biggerstaff), who is courting Macroon’s daughter Peggy (Naomi Battrick), while his other daughter Catriona (Ellie Kendrick) is engaged to mama’s boy George (Kevin Guthrie). While all these actors seem to be having fun in their roles, it doesn’t really translate to the screen; actually, their arcs really bog the movie down.

Whisky Galore! is inoffensive and far from being the worst comedy ever made. It’s unfortunately just not very funny to watch. While there is some slight fun to be had with Izzard, and the film’s aesthetic is relaxing, it’s a movie I find hard to recommend.

For more on this film visit the movie’s website:
http://www.whiskygaloremovie.com/

Follow Whisky Galore! on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WhiskyGaloreMov

Like Whisky Galore! on Facebook: https://facebook.com/WhiskyGaloreFilm.

All Photos: ©2017 Arrow Films. All Rights Reserved