# Plunkett & Macleane (1999)

### reviewed by
Akiva Gottlieb

    Plunkett & MacLeane ***

    rated R
    USA Films
    starring Robert Carlyle, Jonny Lee Miller, Liv Tyler, Michael Gambon, Alan
    Cumming
    based on an original screenplay by Selwyn Roberts
    written by Robert Wade, Neal Purvis and Charles McKeown
    directed by Jake Scott

"Plunkett & MacLeane", the new 18th century action-adventure from music video director Jake Scott, defies all the rules of conventional period piece logic. It is hip, vibrant, and a lot of fun. The film reunites "Trainspotting" stars Robert Carlyle and Jonny Lee Miller as Plunkett & MacLeane, two ex-cons paired together against their will to become Britain's most notorious highwaymen. Plunkett provides the skills, and MacLeane provides the social stature. The two collaborate in order to steal from the rich and give to...themselves. When the men hold up the coach of the Lord Chief Justice Gibson (Michael Gambon), MacLeane falls in love at first sight with the Lord's feisty niece, Rebecca (Liv Tyler). While Plunkett tries to rob money for the two to get to America, MacLeane tries to win the affections of Rebecca. When I saw "Plunkett & MacLeane", I wasn't quite sure what to expect. However, after a couple rough opening scenes, Jake Scott (relative of directors Ridley and Tony Scott) presents us with an immensely likable, techno-beat-driven period piece adventure for the MTV generation. Scott's film might be hard-pressed to find an audience, since it's quirky tone seems to appeal neither to the costume drama crowd nor the younger action crowd. Hopefully, moviegoers will look past the facade and "Plunkett & MacLeane" can become an art house hit. Whatever the outcome of its theatrical run, "Plunkett & MacLeane" is quite an enjoyable little film, and an admirable debut for Jake Scott.

a capsule review by Akiva Gottlieb, The Teenage Movie Critic akiva@excite.com http://teenagemoviecritic.8m.com

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