The Martins (2001)

That’s when good neighbours, become good Fiends.

Lee Evans and Kathy Burke star in this British black comedy about a family-from-hell, whose dad goes on a crime-spree in order to give them the holiday of a lifetime.

Evans plays Robert (the aforementioned dad), whose life on benefits starts to become less than bearable, after he loses a newspaper competition to win the holiday of a lifetime. In reaction, Robert first attacks the newspaper’s yuppie editor, before crusading round the streets of urban England with a gun in his hand, threatening his way towards his prize.

Aside from the relentless use of curse words and the ridiculous storyline, The Martins is a charming story about the toils of reality. Robert’s struggle for success, while misdirected, is relatable for many viewers, and even though his family of lower-class miscreants may linger on the hopeless side of the tracks, they are still a nuclear family who love each other.

Evans gives a good comedy performance, translating some of his stand-up moves onto the silver screen, whilst Burke offers the film its most talented performer - regularly stealing scenes.

An interesting peak into the world of Jeremy-Kyle-type families, with a few laughs along the way.