THE STAG (2013) - ♦♦♦♦

Directed by - John Butler

 

Written by - John Butler, Peter McDonald

 

Starring - Andrew Scott, Peter McDonald, Hugh O'Conor, Amy Huberman

 

 

 

"Despite expectations, John Butler’s take on the Irish bachelor party traditions is not the childish comedy that we have been used to expecting – a prejudice mostly shaped by more expensive production that make use of similar elements. This is the story of a man getting married and going of on a ‘Stag’, a trip to the mountains, with his friends and his future brother in law to be, a man whose infamous reputation as a loose cannon has people calling him the machine. Despite their initial friction, they slowly end up connecting not only to nature, but with each other as they reveal personal sides with one another that will have made their trip worthwhile. John Butler’s film is filled with hilarious creative comedic gags, yet it is its emotional depth that catches off guard and makes it infinitely more rewarding than similar films. The Stag has this remarkable ability to be hilarious one moment and the next harrowingly intimate thanks to a very clever and well balanced screenplay. Though the cast does not include any big names, they all do a great job in conveying the strength of the film and its story. Furthermore, The Stag plays up on the Irish element of the film almost fearlessly. Entertaining and overall rewarding, The Stag seems to be destined to become a true gem of Irish cinema’s comedy and there is just no reason why it shouldn’t be."

 

 

Comedy, Ireland