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A LIFE LESS ORDINARY (1997)

Dir: Danny Boyle

Ewan McGregor, Cameron Diaz (pictured), Ian Holm, Holly Hunter, Delroy Lindo

This film was made by the same director, producer and writer behind Trainspotting but apart from a couple of similarities, it's entirely different and should be judged on its own merits. The similarities are the arty way some of the scenes are shot and Ewan McGregor’s character which would have fitted nicely into the previous film.

It's basically a fantasy, comedy love story - almost in the Disney mould - but clearly with a lot more bollocks! Two angels (Delroy Lindo and Holly Hunter) are sent to Earth to prove love can still exist and to bring the oddest couple together. Ewan is a Scotsman working as a cleaner in America who is sacked and replaced by machines. He then takes his boss’s daughter (Cameron Diaz) hostage in revenge.

After realising he hasn't any idea of how he's going to pull it off, Cameron guides him in holding a millionaire’s daughter to ransom. As this is happening, the two angels are coming up with blundering schemes to make them fall in love.

The film is pretty racy and packed with ideas. It shows Danny Boyle has the guts to take a risk and not just direct the same movie over again. For me it certainly paid off as this is thoroughly entertaining and hilarious. It'll never be as hip as Trainspotting, but who cares.

JOHN MARSHALL
10 November 1997