Lucky Stiff

Lucky Stiff, a 2014 film directed by Christopher Ashley, is something of a wild madcap adventure. It's an unconventional rom-com with a splash of zaniness, rounded out with elements of farce, slapstick, and musical theatre, resulting in a unique viewing experience. The film features Dominic Marsh, Nikki M. James, and Pamela Shaw, who perfectly embody their quirky characters with a contagious charm.

The story revolves around the protagonist, Harry Witherspoon, played by Marsh, who is an endearingly naïve shoe salesman leading a dull and predictable life in East Grinstead, England, dreaming of a life that offers more than the monotony he currently experiences every day. His mundane existence gets upended when he receives news that his estranged, formerly rich, and now deceased American uncle has left him an inheritance of six million dollars. However, there's a catch - Harry must take his uncle’s corpse on a week-long, all-expenses-paid trip to Monte Carlo as per his late uncle’s last wish encapsulated in his will.

Intrigued, exasperated, and consumed with dreams of financial freedom, Harry - now burdened with a taxidermied corpse in a wheelchair - steps into the dizzying world of Monte Carlo - a city echoing with luxury, wealth, and a bizarre adventure that awaits him, far beyond his safest imaginations.

There, amidst the surreal circumstances, Harry crosses paths with an assortment of offbeat characters who significantly multiply the reigning chaos to hilarious proportions. The lineup includes a self-assured woman, Pamela Shaw in the role of Rita La Porta, Harry's Uncle’s legally-blind ex-girlfriend, whom the uncle had previously conned out of her part of the inheritance, and a determined representative from a dog shelter in Queens, New York, Annabel Glick, portrayed by Nikki M. James.

Annabel's aim is to ensure that Harry doesn't squander the inheritance on senseless indulgences. On the contrary, she hopes that if he violates the will's conditions, the money will go to the dog shelter as per a clause in the will. Rita, on the other hand, is aggressive, hopeful, and plans to reclaim her money before it becomes Harry's, living up to her reputation as a storm in stilettos.

As the movie rolls out, these eccentric personalities clash and interact, creating a captivating, fast-paced farce that blends seamlessly with the grandeur of Monte Carlo's casino culture, grand hotels, and other emblems of luxury and excess. Dominic Marsh's portrayal of Harry brings a naive charm and likability to his character, while Nikki M. James provides the quintessential moral compass with her character, Annabel. Pamela Shaw as Rita, brings along a level of frenzied fun to her character.

Accompanying the plot are various fabulous musical numbers - a noteworthy aspect of the movie that presents this comedy of errors in a light that’s even more diverse and entertaining. Engaging sequences like "Something Funny's Going On" and "Nice," infuse the narrative with rhythm and cheer, as the characters break into song and dance, weaving their feelings, hopes, anxieties, and quirks into harmonious melodies.

While the plot touches upon themes of love, deception, ambition, and adventure, it does so in a manner that keeps the tone light and breezy, perfectly in sync with the riotous nature of the storyline. The movie's musical element gives the film a further over-the-top and lighthearted touch, ensuring a thoroughly entertaining viewing experience.

Overall, the film Lucky Stiff is a cocktail of humor, mystery, unexpected romance, and vibrant musical numbers set against a backdrop of glitzy extravagance. It is a whirlwind adventure of farcical hilarity and comic confusion that keeps the viewers entertained till the very end. Its quirky characters, captivating sequences, excellent performances, and riotous plot make it an enjoyable watch.