Review of For Queen And Country

Introduction

Firstly, don`t read the information on the DVD box; it is wrong. The copywriter obvious didn`t actually watch the film. The basic thrust of the film is this:

Denzel Washington plays Rueben, an ex-squaddie who leaves the British Army after 8 years of loyal service and tries to make a life for himself in Thatcher`s Britain. However, his loyalty to the country he served is severely tested when he finds that he can`t get a job or any respect from the people he fought to protect. Racist abounds. The final straw comes when he is denied a British passport and he finds himself being pushed onto the wrong side of the law.

When he witnesses the murder of a decent copper, he is persuaded to do the right thing by a tough but fair detective (George Baker - not corrupt as the box states). However, doing the right thing can have tragic consequences.

This is one of Denzel`s early movies and may be of interest to fans but everyone else should avoid.

Video

The image is letterboxed at 1.78:1 and is adequate. Some of the dark scenes get a bit grainy but there is little to complain about.

The cinematography is resolutely downbeat and looks more appropriate to a TV movie than one intended for theatrical release. Little visual flair is evident.

Audio

The straight DD 2.0 soundtrack is also adequate. It does the job but there is nothing noteworthy. The score by Michael Kamen is edgy and electronic and goes some way to creating a mood of tension. That said, its synthetic sound dates it badly. It just screams "late 80s".

Features

None.

Conclusion

For Queen and Country tries very hard to be earnest and weighty but fails miserably at every turn. The opening scenes in Northern Ireland are risible. The denouement is so contrived as to be laughable. In between is a mess of bad acting (from future soap stars), bad dialogue and a plot which doesn`t have a way to lose.

The only redeeming factor is Denzel Washington who fights his way through the mire of the script to give us his usual reliable performance and a passable London accent. However, even Denzel can`t save this mass of clichés (bent coppers, villains, riots etc).

Avoid.