Film Review – Grimsby
2 min read
Sacha Baron Cohen creates films that you either love or hate, and his latest release, Grimsby, is no exception. With enough utterly disgusting moments to last you a lifetime, Grimsby is the kind of film that makes you cringe and shudder between every laugh.
Norman “Nobby” Butcher (Baron Cohen) is a football mad, loving father of 11 children, and he has found his perfect woman in Dawn (Rebel Wilson). But there is one thing missing: his little brother Sebastian (Mark Strong), who he has been searching for since they were separated as children. All of Nobby’s dreams come true when a punter from the local pub tells him where to find his long lost brother. When Nobby discovers Sebastian is a MI6 Agent, on the run for something he didn’t do, he offers to help hide him only to be dragged into an epically disgusting adventure to defeat an unknown threat.
After Borat, Brüno and The Dictator, it’s a pleasant surprise not to be thrust into the world of a completely mad character. Nobby is a delightful, compassionate and idiotic man with good intentions right down to the moment where he must suck the ball of his own brother to save his life. His Noel Gallagher-like side burns, flared ¾ jeans and ability to always be running from the bad guys with a beer in his hands only makes his quirkiness more loveable. In contrast to the strangely pleasant Nobby, there are some altogether disgusting scenes that will make you cringe. But this is all to be expected in a Sacha Baron Cohen film. You know that at some point he will go above and beyond to make you squirm. But that is his aim, to make sure everyone feels uncomfortable at least once.
The chemistry that Mark Strong and Baron Cohen have as the Grimsby brothers is beyond hilarious. The stark contrast between the two characters; Noddy with his big smile and loving nature, and Sebastian’s shoot first mentality, work together perfectly to create these unimaginable situations that have the audience in stitches. But it isn’t just the bizzare characters that make Grimsby brilliant. Buried underneath some incredibly politically incorrect moments are notions of gender equality, female empowerment, community, family and love.
Directed by Louis Leterrier, Grimsby is incredibly funny and completely disgusting. Cohen’s ability to turn complete madness into a very watchable film is second to none. A story of long lost brothers finding friendship in the most difficult of situations, Grimsby is uplifting and beautiful – in between the grossness.
