Dom Hemingway (2013)
Cast includes: Jude Law (Sherlock Holmes), Richard E. Grant (Girls), Madalina Diana Ghenea, Demain Bichir (Che: Part Two), Emilia Clarke (Game of Thrones), Nathan Stewart-Jarrett (Misfits), Kerry Condon (Luck)
Writer/Director: Richard Shepard (The Matador, The hunting Party)
Genre: Dark Comedy | Crime (93 minutes)
We know we’re in a prison, but the scene has a religious tone. A naked Dom Hemingway, seen from the waste up, assumes a crucifixion pose. “Isn’t my cock exquisite!” he crows. “…a work of art… Renoir, Picasso… belongs in the Louvre… defies nature… willing to stand all day like a good soldier… worthy of a Nobel Peace Prize…” Dom’s lengthy soliloquy is downright Shakespearean… quite an expression of appreciation for a jailhouse blowjob. Twelve years is a long time… but on Dom’s freedom day he’s cocky, cocked and loaded. Impromptu confetti rains down as the victorious Dom struts across the prison yard for the last time. Now he’s got a score to settle. “Fuck a man’s wife while he’s in prison,” yells Dom as he pummels Sandy. “You were divorced,” Sandy pleads. “She was still my wife!” Dom stops just short of murdering Sandy to have a smoke. “I should fucking kill you, but I fancy a pint instead.”
“I got anger issues. I just do,” Dom tells his pal Dickie in the bar. Now we see a remorseful Dom, and his expressions of remorse are as flamboyant as his cock-sure aggression. Next it’s time to collect what Mr. Fontaine owes him. Dickie assures Dom that Fontaine hasn’t forgotten. In fact… those two gorgeous girls over there… those are a present from Mr. Fontaine. Oh man! It’s good to be out of prison! “No one call me for 3 days,” yells Dom, as he throws one of the girls over his shoulder, caveman style. On the train heading to France, Dom has the mother of all headaches. “I’m dying. Tried to make up for too much lost time in 3 days.” At Fontaine’s villa, the site of Paolina is an instant pick-me-up. “She’s rather fit,” says Dom. Dickie warns Dom not to even look at Fontaine’s girlfriend. “Fit to fiddle, I’d say.” As it turns out, Dom’s really come to collect the money Fontaine owes him… with interest. He’s not sure Fontaine quite appreciates the sacrifice he made… and in the heat of anticipation, perhaps Dom lays it on rather thick… with interest. In the cold light of day, Dom’s overcome with regret, fearing he’s lost everything. Dom vacillates from aggression to remorse.
But he hasn’t lost everything… not just yet anyway. Whether he’s winning or losing, Dom does everything with gusto. This movie isn’t for everyone. If rude, crude humor is a turn-off, you should definitely skip this one. On the other hand, no one does dark humor with as much flare as the Brits. The artful language artfully delivered can turn the crudest comedy into an art form. Dom Hemingway isn’t a belly-laugh comedy, but it’s wickedly funny with plenty of vicious insults. This kind of dialogue wouldn’t work without Shakespearean-trained actors. Jude Law, with a few extra pounds, is amazing as Dom and delivers the lion’s share of challenging verbiage, but he’s not the only standout actor. The script by American writer/director Richard Shepard is wonderfully developed in both story flow and dialogue. The excellent art direction and cinematography adds to the film’s cheeky attitude. Dom tells us, “I’ve had the shittiest luck in the history of shitty luck.” But Melody tells him, “You’ll be blessed with good fortune, when you least expect it but most need it.” The surprising thing is that Dom actually wins us over and we find ourselves rooting for him.
4 popped kernels
A very dark comedy… ex-con Dom wants what’s owed him and needs to make up for lost time
Popcorn Profile
Rated: R (Language, Nudity, Violence, Sexual Content, Crime, Drugs)
Audience: Young Adults & Grown-ups
Gender Style: Macho
Distribution: Mainstream Limited Release
Mood: Neutral
Tempo: Zips Right Along
Visual Style: Nicely Varnished Realism
Nutshell: Ex-con wants what’s owed him
Language: Rude, Crude & Artful
Social Significance: Pure Entertainment
