Writer & Director: Mackenzie Crook
Starring: Mackenzie Crook, Toby Jones, Rachael Stirling, Aimee-Ffion Edwards, Lucy Benjamin, David Sterne, Simon Farnaby
Certificate: 15
Running Time: 180 mins
Mackenzie Crook is known worldwide for his supporting roles as bizarre characters in The Office and PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN. But this year he created a quiet revolution for himself with Detectorists, a low key and well-received comedy drama which aired on BBC Four. The series is about to come out on DVD, so how does this old school series fare in the world of wall to wall sex/violence and boxset bingeing? The answer is surprisingly well.
The premise is simple and no nonsense. Crook plays Andy, who spends his days doing odd jobs whilst indulging his true passion of waving a metal detector over clumps of grass and dirt. Roaming the fields with his best friend Lance, he has a reasonably contented existence with Becky, a local teacher. However, when a female history graduate joins the local detectors Andy finds his middle-aged horizons broadened and is inevitably torn between two women. And that’s pretty much what you get across six episodes.
With its folk-based soundtrack and rural setting this put me in mind of Jennifer Saunders’ underrated Jam & Jerusalem programme. Whereas that show was a disparate, rambling ensemble piece this is much tighter and a solid showcase for Crook’s skills as a writer and director. The pacing is excellent. Despite a seemingly gentle atmosphere concerning a lot of pottering about each instalment manages to whizz by, with every end credit sequence coming as a surprise. Tempering the “action”, such as it is, is a slightly magical subplot involving an eccentric landowner (David Sterne) and his estate, that promises untold riches for the right pair of headphone-clad ears.
It’s a testament to Crook’s script that he has attracted Toby Jones and Rachael Stirling to the roles of Lance and Becky. Jones and Crook make a suitably unremarkable pairing. Lovelorn Lance, obsessed with the woman who runs the New Age shop and at her beck and call, is beset by Top Gear-style trappings, this diminutive man with his lived-in face surrounded by racing car memorabilia and glamour shots. Stirling is sexy, intimidating and ever so slightly aggravating, her and Crook forming the other strong partnership in the story. Aimee-Ffion Edwards as Sophie is a good contrast to Becky and the most entertaining episode is arguably the fourth, where a pub quiz is the backdrop for a falling out between the two friends and some quality sniping between the two actresses. As for the star, Crook carries a peculiar charisma. Looking like the lead in a Muppet version of The Three Musketeers he manages to hold the attention without appearing to do very much.
If there’s a criticism I have it’s that the understated nature of the show is sometimes a bit too quiet, the series occasionally resembling a sprightlier take on Last Of The Summer Wine. Having said that, Detectorists is an important step for the modern day BBC. With their scripted comedy output increasingly dominated by broad strokes (Not Going Out) it’s a welcome change to see something where the humour comes directly from the characters, and there isn’t a need for someone’s bottom to erupt or for anyone to be sick in an inappropriate location. Indeed, one of the most dramatic events – an exploding bomb – happens offscreen. Yet there are still cleverly-crafted moments, a mix up involving a website watermark being a case in point.
The release is as straightforward as the script, with a lack of commentaries and a single ‘behind the scenes’ documentary. You get the impression Crook likes to keep it to the point and let the work speak for itself, another aspect I like about him. BBC Four clearly approve as a second series has just been commissioned. It’ll be interesting to see what the softly-spoken creator will uncover next.
[usr=4] Detectorists is available to buy now.
