Dean Palinczuk and Paddy Considine in Le Donk and Scor-zay-zee

We love a bit of Shane Meadows here at LeftLion. Obviously we’re a tad biased because (as he told us in the first issue of our magazine) his whole career has been born out of Nottingham. But even impartial fans of British film would have to agree that he’s clearly the best British filmmaker of his generation.

Shane, however, is at his very best when working with his friend and muse Paddy Considine. It’s hard to believe that Paddy hadn’t really acted before his starring role in Meadow’s 1999 film A Room for Romeo Brass. He’s an institution in his own right now, starring in Hollywood blockbusters like The Bourne Ultimatum and popping up on panel shows like Reeves and Mortimer’s Shooting Stars and in music videos for the likes of The Arctic Monkeys (more about them later).

The third major factor in this film is Scorzayzee. No, not Martin, but the former OutDaVille rapper who we first interviewed way back in Issue 3 of our magazine. Meadows’ knack for spotting talent (particularly talent without traditional acting training) is out in force again as he casts Scorz to play himself, alongside Paddy as the title character. It was a masterstroke!

So, the plot is roughly thus: Le Donk (right) is an aging roadie, still looking to fulfill his dreams of musical stardom, without really having the skills to back it up. He also manages artists including Scorzayzee, who he pushes by pulling in favours from some of the people he works on the road with. The film is basically about those two going on a spiritual and literal journey together, alongside a documentary film crew, which climaxes in a support slot at Old Trafford with the “Arctical Monkeys” – as Le Donk refers to them.

But there is a beautiful sub-plot too. Le Donk’s former partner (played by Olivia Colman of Peep Show fame) is pregnant with his baby and now living with another man. Le Donk takes some time to get used to this and, at first, comes across as a complete arse. Later on, however, he begins to redeem himself. We won’t spoil it by telling you why.

This film is at times brilliantly funny and at others unexpectedly touching! Meadows has stated that he made it because he wanted to take a break from heavier material like This Is England and he clearly enjoyed himself making this, even going as far as to be on camera quite a lot. Most of it appears to be improvised too, with pretty much everyone except Paddy playing themselves.

The film looks like it was a lot of fun to make and that comes across in the final cut. The only question you’ll end up with after watching it is how many people were in on the joke. LeftLion advises anyone with eyes to go and see this at The Broadway straight away!

Le Donk & Scor-zay-zee is showing at the Broadway Cinema from 9-22 October.
 

Le Donk & Scor-zay-zee