The Doctor and the Devils

Involving and unnerving in moments, mostly thanks to the commitment of a surprisingly great ensemble cast. But the whole thing looks and sounds like it was directed through a muddy sieve. It also plays like a Mel Brooks (the film's producer) with all his typical punchline beats but none of the comedy - which is bizarre, even for this material. No one appeared to have told Dalton he wasn't in a comedy, and his ham isn't kosher.

Suitable if a bit dry. Great cast was what reeled me in. I can't tell if Julian Sands is either the best terrible actor or the worst good actor.

This draws its inspiration from the real-life exploits of infamous 19th-century grave-robbers Burke and Hare (herein renamed Fallon and Broom), who weren't above resorting to murder to meet their cadaver quota. Pryce and Rea turn in credible work as the unsavory stiff-lifters; Dalton is properly self-righteous as Dr. Rock, and ex-anorectic Twiggy emotes effectively as blond pub tart Jenny Bailey. Unfortunately, the script needs work (sorry, D.T., wherever you are)

Not bad.

There's interest in the writing, a clear effort from production, but it all falls so flat.