The game’s up for Studs

Studs

Director: Paul Mercier

Cast: Brendan Gleeson, Domhnall Gleeson, David Herlihy, Alan King

Cert: 15

A home-grown film, though not one that pushes the boundaries of the local industry to new and innovative lengths.

Based on a stage play, the story concerns the struggles of a dismal team to win a football cup … though it tries to achieve this with a singular lack of character depth or real understanding of how and why those concerned arrived at the point at which the audience becomes engaged.

The cast tries hard to engage us but, somehow, everything conspires against them … in the great game of life we are all 5-0 down at half-time and the referee’s on their side.

Star Rating: 2/5