The Tiger's Tail

This would-be satire on Ireland's economic rollercoaster is disguised as a somewhat limp identity swap thriller wherein Gleeson's successful businessman is haunted by visions of his double, who turns out to be his long lost twin intent on taking over his life, to the point that his unhappy wife (Cattrall) no longer feels it necessary to spot the difference. It's a missed opportunity from a director of Boorman's standing, with some broad, unfocused pot-shots at the church, the government and the ills of society hardly compensating for the half-heartedness of the main plot or the variable acting and stilted dialogue. What should, on paper, have been a very strong cast, is reduced to only a couple of scenes each for Hinds and Cusack, while Cattrall is undone by her accent, leaving the ever watchable Gleeson to dominate with a powerhouse performance full of range and spirit. [Paul Greenwood]