Sightseers

This wispy British import from filmmaker Ben Wheatley stars Alice Lowe as Tina, a lonely depressed young woman who lives under the domination of her cranky mother and a mountain of kitsch in their mundane home, a place where the air of gloom over the death of their beloved little terrier still hangs heavy with mum. Alice breaks free of the bleakness to go on a road trip holiday with her new boyfriend, Chris (Steve Oram), an aspiring writer who is also a major sad sack. Chris has a new prized possession: a rundown caravan that the couple attach to his car for a tour of Northern England attractions, including the Pencil Museum and Crich Tramway Village. Along the way, Chris happens to develop a taste for bloody murder as the couple encounter various nobodies who offend his sensibilities. The gruesome killing spree is apparently meant as humorous counterpoint to the dull momentum of Tina and Chris's daily lives, not to mention a possible commentary on class division. Unfortunately, however, it's also a bit of a bore, not terribly funny, and pointlessly nasty. Not recommended. (T. Fry)