Move over, The Ugly American, boasting Brando front and center or not. A gangster thriller gone global that may endure for it's provocative title if nothing else, The Big Ugly could not have encapsulated planetary US imperialism thuggery more. Playing out in discovered West Virginia oil-rich land around a local creek known as Big Ugly, this Scott Wiper sophomoric sendup of well worn gangster territory, promises so much more while delivering exceedingly less.
The film follows the unfortunate escapades of London mobsters played by Malcolm McDowell and Vinnie Jones, as they are lured to rural West Virginia to invest in a money laundering oil venture concocted by shady businessman, Ron Perlman. And though by no means saintly operatives themselves, the comparatively gentlemanly Brits get caught up in the deadly bully instincts of those avaricious oil Yanks, with tragic consequences. And while dredging up oil exploitation gangster capitalism via the otherwise tired narrative proceedings, Appalachian rebels as the ripped off rural masses happen to rise up to reclaim their confiscated land - though they should have grabbed a lot more screen time, and been placed decisively front and center in the story.
Meanwhile, with UK sacrificial racketeers turning up, would that be British Brexit anxiety chiming in - now that Boris has left the country vulnerable and on its own for the anticipated US economic feeding frenzy? Who can say. On the other hand, spending screen time with the likes of that OG - or rather OJ, original Joker - that Clockwork Orange classic unhinged thug, Malcolm McDowell while pondering his take on gangsters then and now, usually tends to feel like it might have been an otherwise missed opportunity.
Prairie Miller
