The Comic Strip Presents: Series 7, Episode 6 – “Jealousy” (1993)

The Comic Strip Presentsis a show that surfaces periodically on British television. Rather than presenting one unified story, each episode is a separate piece with its own characters, sensibility, and cast – more like a series of short, unrelated films. “Jealousy” is an oddball comedy written by Robbie Coltrane, a.k.a. Hagrid from the Harry Potterfilms

Three guesses as to which vice “Jealousy” focuses on. John, a suburban husband, can’t shake the conviction that his wife is having an affair, and all the self-help tapes in the world won’t give him peace of mind. Try as he might, he just keeps getting sucked in by his paranoia and, yes, jealousy.

PC plays John, a man more than teetering on the brink of insanity. Over the course of the episode, his gambits get more and more unhinged. There are grappling hooks involved, not to mention disguises donned for the purposes of incognito wife-tailing.

It’s pretty amusing. PC brings a screwy intensity to John that’s a lot of fun. John knowshe’s being irrational, but he just can’t stop himself. While it’s not the most complex character out there, it doesn’t fail to entertain.

Also, if you’re wondering what the Twelfth Doctor would look like in a fez, this is your chance!

Accent Watch

Scottish, with more than a hint of the “crazy Scotsman” stereotype.

Recommend?

In General– Maybe, depending on the person. I think “Jealousy” is pretty funny, but its screwball quirkiness wouldn’t be to everyone’s tastes.

PC-wise– Probably not lighting up anyone’s top-ten list, but it's good for a laugh – worth a watch if you’ve seen PC’s choicer stuff and want more. 

Warnings

A little swearing, and some thematic elements and dark comedy.

The Love Child (1988)

Another early work. The Love Childis the first PC work I’ve seen where he was legitimately the lead. I suppose you could make a good argument for In the Loop, but even if Malcolm was the most prominent character in that film, he’s not exactly the leading type.

But there will be plenty of time to gabble about In the Looplater! Today is about The Love Child. At the center of this film is Dillon, a tightly-wound accounts clerk who’s anxious to distinguish himself from his family tree of hippies, crooks, and deadbeats. However, he quickly finds his responsible, ordered life starting to spin out of his control.

Since I already mentioned that PC plays the lead in this film, you may have figured out that he’s the Dillon in question. Dillon spends the story dealing with change – desperately resisting it, timidly pursuing it, just trying to wrap his head around it. And then, there’s the fact that inanimate objects have started talking to him. He doesn’t know whatto make of that!

On the whole, PC heads the film with quiet aplomb. The Dillon we meet is unassuming but always present, and as he takes baby steps toward new experiences and human connection, it’s easy to cheer him on. Plus, he has a begrudging conversation with a toilet about who was dealt the worse hand in life! There probably aren’t too many actors who’ve had to make a piece of non-sentient porcelain feel like a legitimate screen partner.

Accent Watch

London, a little broad at times.

Recommend?

In General– Maybe, depending on the recommendee. There’s an offbeat madness to this film that I enjoyed. I still don’t entirely know what to make of it, but I can’t say it wasn’t a pleasant way to spend an hour and a half.

PC-wise– Oh, yeah. It’s a nice performance and a rootable character who grows a lot over the course of the film. And really, I don’t how many leading film roles I’m going to come across on Capaldi Fall, so I’d say catch ‘em while you can!

Warnings

There’s a brief sex scene, some drinking, and a scene of recreational drug use. Also some violence – mostly of the punch-and-kick variety.