Swing

After being released from a two-year prison term for robbery, Martin (Hugo Speer), who took up the saxophone in the slammer, decides to start his own swing band. Recruiting a bunch of ragtag Liverpool locals, plus his former girlfriend, Joan (soul-pop singer Lisa Stansfield), Martin pushes against the odds, including full-employment demands from his parole officer and opposition from Joan's jealous husband (who just happens to have been his arresting officer). A banal script and generally lackluster performances (veterans Rita Tushingham and Tom Bell acquit themselves well in their small roles, but Stansfield is a better singer than actress, and Speer is totally uncharismatic) can't help but add to the feeling that--despite a rousing version of "Mack the Knife"--director Nick Mead's film just ain't got that swing. Not recommended. (T. Rich)