Once Upon a Time in the Midlands

Set in England, but utilizing a Sergio Leone-type Western soundtrack as its backdrop, this is a sporadically funny story about an ex-con (Robert Carlyle) trying to win back the love of his estranged wife (Shirley Henderson). The only things standing in his way are his complete ineptitude when it comes to interpersonal relationships, along with his ex’s current, extremely self-conscious lover (Rhys Ifans). While Director Shane Meadows doesn’t really take the Western in England premise anywhere definitive, the ensemble cast is a good one, and Meadows has a flair for funny moments. Carlyle, Henderson and especially Ifans are effective here, keeping things interesting even when they become a bit routine. The ending is a silly letdown, but it doesn’t sabotage the film. A scene where Carlyle and his cronies mug some clowns early in the movie is priceless.