Lowdown Dirty Criminals

Lowdown Dirty Criminals is a 2020 dark comedy crime film from New Zealand that features a stellar cast, including Samuel Austin, Francis Biggs, and Unaloto Funaki. Directed by Paul Murphy and written by David Brechin-Smith, it is a laugh-out-loud and chaotic narrative that cleverly weaves together a series of unfortunate misadventures. Set in Wellington, New Zealand's capital, the movie is a comedy about small-time criminals getting in way over their heads.

The film centers around two friends, Freddy (portrayed by James Rolleston) and Marvin (played by Samuel Austin) that work in a pizza shop. Frustrated by their bleak economic predicament and mundane lives, they decide they’ve had enough of their entry-level, minimum wage job. Craving a change in their lives and looking to make a quick buck, they are inadvertently swept up into the city's underworld.

After a debacle at work, our duo is forced to contemplate a life beyond pizza delivery. They decide to take up work as henchmen for Spiggs, a local gangster (played by Scott Wills with notable merits). This decision lures them deep into the confusing realm of organized crime, setting them off on a different trajectory than what they initially signed up for.

Unaloto Funaki crafts an unforgettable character as The Upholsterer, a super-sadistic, yet almost laughably quirky, contract killer who enjoys a significant reputation in the underworld. Disturbingly experimenting with a range of kitchen appliances while executing her marks, her signature style of revolting carnage adds a unique flavor to the narrative.

Enter Francis Biggs as the nocturnal mob boss, an eccentric recluse who demands unquestioned loyalty and obedience from his crew. Additionally, Rebecca Gibney and Min Kim deliver strong performances, adding to the colorful array of characters that make up Wellington’s seedy underbelly.

The malleability of comedy and crime as genres is explored in Lowdown Dirty Criminals, with Murphy blending elements of both to create a hilarious romp through a typically grim setting. The quirky characters and absurd scenarios they find themselves embroiled in serve as a wry commentary on the intertwined worlds of crime and deprivation.

The cinematography by Richard Bluck compliments the narrative tone of the movie by creating a Wellington crawling with misfits and small-time crooks, illuminating the city’s dodgy backstreets and rundown apartments. The film's aesthetics, incorporating garishly colorful lighting and music composed by Karl Steven, that effortlessly captures the energetic and bleakly funny mood of the plot.

The humor in Lowdown Dirty Criminals hinges on instances of rocky friendships, mistaken identities, unfortunate coincidences and a series of errors that could only befall our hapless protagonists, who find themselves in a tight spot time after time. While showcasing the transformative power friendship under strained circumstances, the movie exhibits a certain edge that's associated with the criminal world.

In the vein of cult classics like “Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels” and “Snatch,” "Lowdown Dirty Criminals" delivers an amusing, somewhat dark, and topsy-turvy ride through the underbelly of Wellington's criminal world. The film features wild plot-twists, snappy dialogues and a whole lot of slapstick comedy.

The chemistry between the lead characters is compelling, the script is filled with clever quips, and the film's pacing keeps viewers engaged from start to finish. Lowdown Dirty Criminals is a vivid, audacious exploration of friendship and desperation on the fringes of society, appealing to anyone who enjoys good humor layered over shadowy underworld dealings.

In closing, with a witty screenplay, "Lowdown Dirty Criminals" offers a comedic emphasis on the criminal world that enthralls viewers. It presents a blend of capricious characters, blending both humor and drama for an unforgettable viewing experience. The film offers a hilarious take on the misadventures of petty criminals who get tangled in big crimes. Its layers of humor, absent love, betrayal and camaraderie, bundled with some slapstick action, make it an endearing and memorable watch.