I arrived for my set visit at the best possible time, lunch. For a brief second while sitting inside a bus whose interior had been modified with seats and tables, munching on a roast dinner, it felt as if I was in an episode of Extras. Only difference here was the cast and crew happily sat dined and chatted together.
As I’m being guided around I can tell, no expense was spared on this production. A few warehouses to one side are used as interior sets while across the road is where I will be taken shortly to watch a scene being filmed. First though is a brief and formal chat with some of the top players.
While waiting for the cast to finish their lunch and have their makeup done I’m shown a video which had been shot the previous day. I like many others couldn’t help but snort and giggle at the sight of veteran comedian and all round top bloke Ricky Tomlinson riding piggyback while dangling a jaffa cake in front of Greg Orvis’ (Vikings) face who in return is grunting and growling as he speeds past trying to reach for it. Once “Cut” is yelled the crew erupts with roars of laughter and applause.
Gloves Off is the latest British comedy starring Brad Moore as Doug who in his day was a formidable boxer. His trainer dies of a heart attack and leaves his gym to Doug, unbeknownst to the former that the gym is in £50,000 debt. He along with Tomlinson’s Mick is tasked with training their new protégé, the hulking but gentle hearted brother of Doug’s love interest Vera (Denise Van Outen) Also starring is The Full Monty’s Paul Barber, Adam Fogerty who was most recently in Legend and newcomers, Gary Cargill, Kab Silva and Sydney Wade as Doug’s young daughter.
The script has been co-written by Moore and the film’s director Steve Nesbit who had already worked together in the Gangster flick North vs South. Just after lunch was done with and the crew were busy getting the next scene set up, a tired but elevated Moore gave us some insight into the process, ‘I pitched the idea to him(Nesbit) and he loved it. Never thought I’d be writing it,’ he says since, ‘It’s the only idea I ever had.’
The movie seems to be focusing a lot on the dynamics of the characters as well as the comedic aspects too, ‘The gym is an anchor for these men,’ he adds. Tomlinson’s Mick hangs there to escape his wife while others such as Cargill’s Davros hangs out there to keep in shape since he’s wheelchair bound. Moore also points out the absurd and over the top humour that we should expect, ‘It’s got that zany madcap style that we’re not used to in Britain.’
A few minutes in and Moore is called onto set and I am left with relative new-comers, Gary Cargill and Kab Silva who play Davros and Riz respectively. We briefly chat about their characters and it’s apparent that they have put a lot of their own little touches to the characters they are playing. Cargill spent a few weeks in a wheelchair to get into the role while Silva’s energy and enthusiasm especially since this is one of his first major roles is beaming through. ‘My character’s very streetwise, mouths off a lot about what he knows but no one takes him seriously,’ he says. After a brief chat about their characters Kab is called away for a photo-shoot then Cargill and I are joined by Tomlinson who appears to have taken the mentor approach in real life too since whoever I speak to, his name has to be mentioned at least once. Cargill informs, ‘Whenever he’s on set be ready for a story. Every day is bloody side splitter.’
Unfortunately, he couldn’t share any due to ladies being present. But there was no shortage of compliments and admiration being thrown about everyone, ‘We all come from an improv background so we’re always on it,’ Tomlinson says, ‘It’s a very family like atmosphere and its great. Barber (as in Denzel from Only Fools…) is such a soulful character in real life.’ Unfortunately I couldn’t interview him but did see him hanging around the set and later on film a scene.
After the brief chats I’m taken away across the street to watch a pivotal scene being filmed with the main crew as well as Denise Van Outen and Sydney Wade. Though I can’t write much about the scene and the surroundings, so I guess you will just have to see it. What I can tell you though, is that this film will be touching as it is funny since many had a teary eye by the end.
Producer Lawrence King is just as enthusiastic, ‘I haven’t rested since…can’t remember actually,’ he jokes, having gone straight from the British gangster flick North vs South to this with no breaks in between. He showed me the footage earlier and point towards the young Sydney who is also in North vs South, ‘she will be massive when she grows up. Very intelligent and professional.’
They then run through a few rehearsals followed by loud applause from both the cast and crew. Outside, I did sort of regret leaving so soon since the atmosphere made me feel like one of the guys but duty called. On my way back I was thinking about what Brad Moore was saying about the style of the movie, ‘We admire Judd Apatow and take inspiration for their bravery,’ he said in regards to Apatow and the Monty Python crew amongst others. If that footage I saw on screen was anything to go by, this will be a blast.
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