Grimsby review: : “Gloriously grotesque though throughly entertaining.”

Grimsby review: It’s Carry-On Spying with Sacha Baron Cohen in this grotesquely funny original comedy that will have you both wincing and weeping with laughter.

Grimsby review by Paul Heath, February, 2016. Sacha Baron Cohen returns to the screen in this offensively funny Grimsby, a film that targets the British working classes, football hooliganism, international espionage and Daniel Radcliffe.

Louis Letterier‘s film, co-written by Sacha Baron Cohen, along with Peter Baynham and Phil Johnson, focusses on Grimsby native Nobby (Baron Cohen), a father of eleven who pines for his long-lost brother Sebastian (Mark Strong), who has been missing from Nobby’s life for 28 years. Sebastian, as we learn over the gloriously shot first person POV opening credits, is now a top British spy tasked with averting a global terrorist attack. When Nobby learns that Sebastian is going to be present at a top political event in London, his mates down the pub  steal him a ticket and put him on a bus bound for the capital. When things don’t go to plan at the big event, Sebastian’s cover is blown, and the two have to unite to stay alive and save the world from imminent and devastating danger.

As with all of Sacha Baron Cohen’s work, taste is not the highest of priorities, and fans of the British comedian/ actor’s previous work, including the gems that were Borat and Bruno, won’t be disappointed with his latest creation; the Stella-swigging, soccer loving Nobby. His crude antics will shock throughout, but also have you giggling with uncontrollable at the same time – a bit like any Cohen fare. While everything from religion, obesity, AIDS, race, benefits cheats and the working classes are all in the firing line, Cohen and friends encourage us to laugh when we really probably shouldn’t. Though we do. Again and again.

At the heart of the film is a great story with a positive message (yes really). With obvious themes of brotherhood and the like – Nobby cherishes his family, and his beloved, highly sexed, mini-skirt wearing partner Lindsey (Rebel Wilson). What makes this different from the grotesque January opener Dirty Grandpa, which has similar dick jokes and lots and lots of offensive gross out humour, Cohen’s effort is noticeably more clever in its approach; his comedy satirising the British, its class system and the constant judging of members of society from different backgrounds – with a few semen jokes thrown in for good measure. Of course, Cohen and co. take us to extremes that we thought they’d dare not go – like the inside of an elephant for example – but we’re laughing with them all of the way.

The film does take a little while to find its feet, and the first third is noticeable weaker than the rest. we don’t get enough time with Nobby and his life in Grimsby, with the story focussing on the spy story at its heart – a kind of cross between Austin Powers, Johnny English and Tom Green (what ever happened to him?…). It is laden with hints of British farce, with an excellent sketch two-thirds in, involving Gabourey Sidibe and Tamsin Egerton in fleeting cameos – a sequence which is very Carry-On-esque, but definitely more bass, though indeed a highlight of the piece.

Mark Strong expertly plays the straight man to Cohen’s clown, and he clearly is having fun as the stuck-up super-spy who has seemingly forgotten his roots. Cohen as Nobby delivers a suitably spot-on performance, and even brings on his real-life wife Isla Fisher along for support, as well as British comedy performers John Thomson (Cold Feet), Ricky Tomlinson (The Royle Family) and Johnny Vegas, along with the international sensation that is Rebel Wilson and Penelope Cruz (in her second comedy spoof outing in a row following Zoolander No. 2). While most of those are largely wasted in very small parts, they add a pleasing element to proceedings, obviously raising many laughs in the moments that they do feature – particularly Tomlinson who plays Pete The Paedo.

Grimsby is more Ali G In Da House than the comedy gold of Borat, or even Bruno, but Cohen has managed to deliver an original comedy which, while certainly not being for everyone, has managed to win over this viewer who looked on with apprehension during its first few scenes. Stick with it, as it gets a lot better.

A grotesquely funny, action-packed movie from a comedy genius. More explosive than a firework in the backside.

Grimsby review by Paul Heath, February 2016.

Grimsby is released in UK cinemas on Wednesday 24th February, 2016. It will be released in North America as The Brothers Grimsby in March.