Spin the Bottle

As anyone who caught it will testify, 'Paths to Freedom' was the most fulfilling home produced series that RTE had produced since the year dot. In Rats, writers Ian FitzGibbon and Michael McElhatton created a realistic but deeply amusing character, a hapless Northside Dub career chancer who spends most of his time in and out of Mountjoy prison. Thus, it's intensely satisfying to see that the character hasn't been toned down in the slightest for his first big screen excursion.

The plot follows Rats (Michael McElhatton) as he is released from the 'Joy again and he returns home to his old stomping ground. Unfortunately he soon discovers that the money which was being saved for his rather obese aunt's pilgrimage to Lourdes has been nicked. Recognising the potential to redeem himself in the eyes of his family by recovering the cash, Rats gets involved in all manner of harebrained get-rich quick schemes, culminating in the reformation of his band, Spermdotcom.

Due to its rather pared down running time and the somewhat one-dimensional, premise, 'Spin the Bottle' doesn't quite stand up to the television series which spawned it. The good news? The sheer charisma of Rats almost manages to negate this failing. The screenplay may be a little too threadbare in terms of development (and thus real feeling) but the gags are mostly quality and the supporting cast are excellent. Yes, it's a little slight, but 'Spin the Bottle' still makes for very enjoyable viewing.