That Sinking Feeling **** (1979, Robert Buchanan, Billy Greenlees, John Gordon Sinclair, John Hughes, Tom Mannion, Eddie Burt, Richard Demarco) – Classic Movie Review 8567

Writer-producer-director Bill Forsyth’s 1979 That Sinking Feeling is a bright, funny, light-hearted comedy in which four unemployed Glaswegian scallywag teens – Ronnie (Robert Buchanan), Wal (Billy Greenlees), Andy (John Gordon Sinclair) and Vic (John Hughes) – plot an intricate robbery of kitchen fittings – the apparently valuable stainless steel sinks of the title – from a warehouse, dressed as girls.

That Sinking Feeling is a charming début for director Forsyth, working with talented youngsters from the Glasgow Youth Theatre, many of whom also appear in his big hit Gregory’s Girl. Forsyth manages to combine an homage to Hollywood heist movies with a satire of yuppie ideals within a madcap story of sinks, cream cakes and transvestism. What it lacks in technical finesse, it makes up for in youthful high spirits and enthusiasm.

Also in the cast are Tom Mannion, Eddie Burt, Richard Demarco, Alex McKenzie, Margaret Adams, Kim Masterson, Danny Benson, Drew Burns, Gerry Clark, Anne Graham, Eric Joseph, Alan Love, Derek Millar, James Ramsey, Janette Rankin and Douglas Sannachan.

That Sinking Feeling is directed by Bill Forsyth, runs 92 minutes, is made by Glasgow Youth Theatre, Lake Films and Minor Miracle Film Cooperative, is released by GTO, is written by Bill Forsyth, is shot by Michael Coulter, is produced by Bill Forsyth and is scored by Colin Tully.

The producers had the dialogue re-recorded by the original actors using softer Scottish accents for the American release. The BFI DVD and Blu-ray release features both versions.

© Derek Winnert 2019 Classic Movie Review 8567

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