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Man Dancin’ (DVD)
Dir.: Norman Stone
Dist:  Authentic Media  
Feature: 109 minutes / Extras: 95 minutes
 
Talking of this film, award-winning Shadowlands writer/director Norman Stone once told me, “I like self-generated work. I call it ‘the Moses’ mother factor,’ where you get paid for looking after your own child.” The passion that he has for making his point, and doing it with heart, comes across vividly in this movie. 
 
Man Dancin’ is the story of hard man Jimmy Finnegan’s parole after a sentence of nine years, in which he has started to change his outlook on life. With some manipulation by Catholic priest Father Flynn (Tom Georgeson, A Fish Called Wanda), who is responsible for his anger management classes, Jimmy (Alex Fern, Eastenders) reluctantly gets involved in a church Passion Play. Both his previous crime boss Donnie McGlone (James Cosmo) and police adversary Detective Inspector Walter Villers (Kenneth Cranham) misread his intentions, suspecting he is branching out on his own in crime – something neither wants. Like a more engaging version of Jesus of Montreal, set in Glasgow, the play and real life interact with each other.
 
While the end result is roughly expected, the plot eschews taking a predictable route and hands out some tasty surprises. Danger is always around the corner, and while the endearing characters stir the affections, exactly who will do what is an unknown factor.
 
The characters are excellently cast. Finnegan draws sympathy well, as a decent man trying to escape his violent past and make something of his life. Refreshingly, the canny Father Flynn is a far more realistic priest than the stereotype, with evident earthy experience of working with people from a run-down area. Jimmy’s appealing girlfriend Fiona (Jenny Foulds) has real presence as she grows from being a dreamer caught up in the gangland crossfire to being freed to make her own decisions. Jimmy’s younger brother (Cas Harkins) is a wave-tossed, directionless Liam Gallagher lookalike, whose fear, hopelessness and lack of either resolve or good judgement makes life difficult for his sibling. McGlone has the right idiosyncrasies (but for half of the film looks too much like the corrupt Villers for viewing comfort; a moustachiotomy for the top cop would have helped significantly). 
 
The low budget is made to look far bigger, thanks to director Stone’s hard work and inspiration. Early on, the deprived setting is clumsily staged (such as an obviously crooked picture on the wall) and at times it feels like more of a television experience than movie, but soon care for Finnegan and the crew that he attracts leave such distractions behind. Colin Towns’ fine score also helps, as it lifts the mood from its sombre opening.
 
Stone doesn’t let his own faith candy-coat the Christians, who have as many character flaws as the ganglanders. The tension between the two groups is disturbingly uncomfortable, and even Flynn reveals misplaced loyalties and priorities in time.
 
The DVD extras are superb, with detailed pre- and post-production featurettes, a filming diary, a trailer and some amusing outtakes. It’s hard to remember when I have seen so many relevant, lengthy and engaging extras. 
 
The movie works well at story level and draws the viewer in quickly, but also shines some pertinent light on how the Western church has softened and institutionalized Jesus. It is well-worth watching.
 
Derek Walker