Gorgeously-shot geezer-fest with a lovely colour palette and a soft heart. It tells a simple, quite satisfying story and stars some top British actors - Winstone, Meaney etc. The film is enjoyable and warm- hearted, despite being a bit predictable in its plot. The violence is cartoonish and often funny, and the level of threat is minimal. Self-parodying at times, the film also recalls the Carry On films and sixties classics like Alfie and The Ipcress File (especially in the music - though The Ipcess File is much darker, obviously). The set design is always beautiful, with lots of period detail. There are some nice European locations too. Charming.
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mhgwitch19 January 2016
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richardchatten2 January 2020An interesting idea played straight in 'City in Fear' (1959) and with tongue in cheek in 'Kiss Me Deadly' (1955), but here with a score that occasionally parodies John Barry's for 'The Ipcress File' (from which it also borrows the black CIA spook with a hat and a pipe) to make sure we know it's being played for laughs; of which there are very few, alas. The very last shot, however (borrowed from 'Kiss Me Deadly'), is worth sitting through the end credits for.
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ksf-222 April 2022Period piece. Brits ken and dan find a hunk of uranium and triy to sell it for cash. Although this sounds so similar to a u.s. Film from 1950, maybe 1960. The opening credits state: based on a true story by kenneth sneath. Stars ray winstone, jack huston. With all the wacky underworld characters they meet, and their own greed, it's something of a farce. And now that word is out, the thugs are out to knock em off and just take the uranium without paying. We're off to roma. With the germans and the american. It's an international heist! It's okay. No big surprises. Written and directed by tim lewiston.
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tim-764-29185627 February 2013The premise for this so-called 60's style Brit caper sounded intriguing...except that only Ray Winstone has any sort of character or charisma.
Where the likes of Terry Thomas and Peter Sellers had oodles of fizz and bang and entertained us, when the script was a dud, this is just a dud all round. The other characters - and their actors I've already forgotten, ten minutes after it's finished. They might as well been office furniture for all their presence and acting.
The script is obvious and rather boring as we now know all about Plutonium - it has no excitement value whatsoever. The movie seemed to have the budget of a TV pilot 'special' - it's so obviously struggling that it's rather embarrassing. The direction, too, is particularly feeble, without any panache or style whatsoever.
I've been generous with my 3/10. It's not going to be too awful for those that might buy the DVD if they have a good idea of what sort of movie they're getting but for most Hot Potato is a waste of time and effort. And, yes, I do enjoy and own many of the old genuine 60's films on DVD - Too Many Crooks, for example - brilliant! Buy that instead! -
MickyFin3 September 2012This film had so so much potential, but the bloody music, especially the starting credit music really dampened everything.
If the soundtrack was more upbeat then yes, this film could of been right up there with LSTSB.
Ray did a grand job, and is a lucky sod too having of had the pleasure of kissing the lovely, Louise I may add.
It was also great being a time warp film and seeing some great old classic cars.
Don't get me wrong, this film has it's flaws, but the story holds up, and keeps you interested. No switching off half way through with this flick.
Overall, good entertainment with a few beers. Buy, rent, enjoy! -
I thought I might have found a gem when I came across this. Alas it's abysmal.
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BobforTrish22 June 2014Oi - 'andsome. Check this out...
Writer/director Tim Lewiston gives us a throwback to the sixties both in period and style.
Kenny (Ray Winstone) and Danny (Jack Huston), scrap metal merchants in London's East End have illicitly come into possession of a piece of uranium - the 'Hot Potato' of the title, so-called both for its likeness to a potato and its deadliness. Once they realise what it is and what it's worth, they call in outside help to find a buyer.
With the involvement of Harry (Colm Meaney) a goodhearted heavy who works for Bill (John Lynch) and Ben, two Irish brothers running the local gang, our two heroes, along with Danny's girlfriend Carole (Lois Winstone) soon find themselves embroiled in double-dealing with various characters as they criss-cross Europe.
Along for the ride are Fritz (Derren Nesbitt), the duplicitous German, his equally duplicitous cohort Koppel (Jean-Louis Sbille), Harrison (David Harewood) a sinister American claiming to be in the CIA and Claudia (Maike Billits) the glamorous Italian intriguante. Meanwhile Kenny's wife Irene (Louise Redknapp) waits fretfully at home.
The Hot Potato rolls along quite nicely. With a scarcity of bad language and violence, some nice comedic touches and moments of tension keep us fairly absorbed. Ray Winstone shows a nicely understated side to his nature and is ably supported by a cast which, unlike a lot of modern British comedy films is not filled out with cameos from 'names'. Despite not being either hilariously funny or overtly dramatic both script and dialogue hold up well and it never overstays its welcome. -
malcolmgsw24 April 2022It is difficult to know whether this is supposed to be a comedy or a thriller. It fails to qualify as either. Sometimes the score evokes a sixties caper film and at other times a Bernard Herman score.
The film just totally fails to entertain on any level.
There are no less than 10 producers credits. What on earth what were they all doing? -
In 2011's 1969-based true-tale Brit dramedy "The Hot Potato" two East End London wide-boys, Ray Winstone (married to Louise Redknapp) & Jack Huston, come across a huge chunk of enriched uranium (as you do) that with Huston's gf Lois Winstone (Ray's actual daughter) via mob connection Colm Meaney & 'middle man' Derren Nesbitt (excellent) they look to sell to the highest bidder in Europe. A double crossing twisty caper ensues (also involving the CIA (David Harewood) & minor support from the likes of Stephen Marcus & Phil Davis). Debut writer / director Tim Lewinston does let the pace even out too much beyond halfway, but still, it's jaunty & enjoyable fare.
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swimtwobirds212 September 2012The 'official' blurb kinda tells the tale, but I would have said it thus: two London Eastend gobshites acquire a lump of 'hot' (meaning a chattel to which they do not have absolutely clear title of ownership) uranium and decide to 'monetize' it, as our yank cousins would put it.
First they approach Colin Meany's character, the local heavy, Harry - a role just made for Colm! - who takes them to 'the twins' - obviously you should read the psycho 'Cray Bros.' here - after which we meet a succession of weird and wonderful con artists, villains, bullies and a really spooky CIA spook.
And all the time the characters' domestic arrangements are moving ahead, complexifying the action and putting additional demands on the characters.
The action is full of novel ideas and twists and turns, yet never inconsistent - the storyline is well served by script and actors. Worthy of remark is the cinematography in so many European city locations, as well as out in the bush.
Overall it's just a fabulous film, the only way to lose interest during this is to die (laughing or otherwise) during the show. As another commentator remarked, it is not full of the foulmouthedness so usual today, and I must also remark that - unlike Hollywood - it did not leave a death toll to compare with Dachau, as most yank 'entertainments' do.
Buy it, rent it, pirate it - just don't miss it! -
villaroma1009 October 2012This film reminds me very much of The Italian Job as a traditional British comedy caper. The actors are very well cast and play their various characters extremely convincingly. Not the usual role for Ray Winstone but nevertheless a winning performance as Kenny. Jack Huston played a very convincing but not very worldly Danny and David Harewood was brilliant as the FBi agent who seemed to be able to appear through walls.Great twist to the end of the film
The European locations were very colourful and gave a greater depth to the movie. I particularly liked the old cars used and the car chase was wicked. All in all a great film for the family, no bad language no excessive violence, just a real good feel factor film. Buy it rent it enjoy! -
TomFarrell6328 September 2022The trailer for this came up as a YouTube recommendation, have to say I'd never even heard of it, but watched the trailer and was intrigued, so purchased the blu ray.
Well, from start to finish, this was an absolute delight, great storyline, fantastic cast, everyone played their part superbly, great cinematography, well recorded sound wise, just brilliant entertainment.
There were twists aplenty, and there wasn't a dull moment throughout its running time.
How is it we can make great films like this, but they don't seem to catch the publics attention or imagination? I just don't get it, like I say I'd never heard of it, so perhaps it wasn't particularly well publicised?
I note some reviewers say they didn't like the music, I completely disagree apart from the end song which mentioned 1972! Whats that all about? It was great to hear The Carnaby's 'Jump and Dance', in there.
Cannot recommend this highly enough. Watch it! -
A gripping tale that twists and turns all the way to the closing credits. Two East End chancers get hold of a lump of uranium and stumble through their first amateurish negotiation for its sale....and on to their next amateurish negotiation....until they blag their way on to the movie's entertaining end.
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laurenon12 September 2012Reminds me a little of the Italian Job. My nieces (9 and 13) really enjoyed it. No swearing or violence, great entertainment. Ray Winston as Kenny played a slightly different character than usual. It was good to see Louise Redknapp making her acting debut. Thought Jack Houston played his part excellently. Lois Winstone, on this performance will soon be as well known as Jamie. Enjoyed the car chase seen and thought the ending was a nice twist.
Preferred Hot Potato movie over,Ray Winstones film,The Sweeney.
I'd certainly watch it again.
All in all, well worth the money.