'Dean Spanley' is a perfect example of how an enormously talented cast can raise average material way , way above its' station. Although by no means bad, the script for 'Dean Spanley' would amount to much less in actors not as talented as Jeremy Northam, Sam Neill, Bryan Brown and Peter O'Toole. However ,as it stands , it is a beautiful and moving tale of fathers, sons , paternal love and dogs.

 Set in Edwardian England where upper lips are always stiff and men from the Colonies are not entirely to be trusted, Fisk Senior  (Peter O'Toole) has little time or affection for his son, but when the pair visit an eccentric Indian, they start a strange journey that eventually allows the old man to find his heart.
 
 Entirely unusual and compeletely cuckoo, 'Dean Spanley' is a film that is at best experienced first hand for trying to describe it could do no justice. It takes some pretty outrageous ideas but manages to turn them into something else, something so innately human that it becomes almost impossible to resist.

 Jeremy Northam is very good in the role of Frisk Junior - however his is the most sraightforward part - almost playing the straight man to feed lines to everyone else. He still manages to find a heart for his character and enthrall the audience enough that they care about what happens to him and subsequently the other people he involves on his journey.

 Bryan Brown is one of the most talented actors working in down under or for that matter anywhere else and it is always a relief to see him flex his acting muscles. In the role of the slightly shady 'Wrather' , he exhudes charm and sleaze in equal measure , making every scene he's in a joy.

 Sam Neill once again proves why he can be relied on time and time again with almost any role. His titular character 'Dean Spanley' might be , in less talented hands, be no more than a caricature but Mr. Neill here does wonders with the material. His mannerisms, his facial expressions all add up so much so that by the end of the film all the outrageousness of the characters has turned into believable character traits. It is also quite possible that just because of Mr. Neill's acting, Tokai wine might become even more widely known and ordered.

  And finally Peter O'Toole: aged 76, Mr. O'Toole gives a masterclass in acting.  It is singulary amazing his domination and control of every scene that he is in, and the last twenty minutes of the film involving him, Sam Neill and Jeremy Northam are practically faultless. Having lost none of his striking handsomeness over the last decade, Mr. O'Toole is still the finest actor of his or any other generation.

  To be honest, it is hard to talk about 'Dean Spanley' without giving away any of its' surprises. However it is a film which deserves to be experienced - for it is sure to warm the hearts of anyone who watches it with an open mind.



'Dean Spanley' will play at the London Film Festival on Friday 17th October at 18.00 at Odeon West End and Sunday 19th October at 16.00 at Curzon Mayfair. Tickets are available.