Jack Whitehall has a bash at big screen success with this adaptation of his popular BBC 3 series of the same name. Er, just without the 'movie' bit. Designed as a showcase for Whitehall's obvious comic chops, the 27 year old stand up also penned the script and produced it,gamely tearing the piss out of his posh boy persona.
Fans of the series will be familiar with the set up, but it basically revolves around Whitehall's Alfie Wickers (who may very well be the worst teacher on the planet, or the best depending on what you're looking for from your education) taking his class on a school trip to Cornwall where they partake in many variations of illegal merriment after the parents refuse to pay for Las Vegas. But Alfie must be on his best behaviour when a painfully pedantic parent of one of the kids forces her way on the trip.
As Whitehall told us when he dropped into the office, there are a couple of surprising nods to cult films past - namely The Wicker Man. That, coupled with the setting, is somewhat reminiscent of Hot Fuzz, but far more Inbetweeners in tone - somewhat unsurprisingly.
Even more implausible that that other British comedy that set the box office alight, it nonetheless has its moments - depending on how much of Whitehall's balls you can stomach. Seriously, there's more than one scene with his crown jewels on full display.
It might make Hot Tub Time Machine look like The English Patient, but it wears that rude, crude and incessantly ridiculous branding proudly.
Expect more from Whitehall on the big screen; it'll be interesting to see how he adapts to material in the US - especially if he continues to source his own.
