Dead in a Week (Or Your Money Back)
Today’s quick review: Dead in a Week (Or Your Money Back). Suicidal writer William Morrison (Aneurin Barnard) has tried every way to kill himself, to no avail. Fed up with the whole process, he hires Leslie O’Neil (Tom Wilkinson), a hitman struggling to meet his quota, to do the job for him. But no sooner has William signed the contract than he meets Ellie Adams (Freya Mavor), a fascinating girl who gives him a reason to live.
Dead in a Week (Or Your Money Back) is a black comedy about a depressed writer who tries to renege on the contract he’s taken out on his own life. Dead in a Week (Or Your Money Back) is a wry look at death, dying, and reasons to live. The film tempers its macabre subject matter with dry British humor, sympathetic characters, and a handful of uplifting moments. The result is a charming and inventive comedy without much meat on its bones.
The movie revolves around the relationship between William, whose failures as a writer and repeated suicide attempts have given him a sanguine outlook on dying, and Leslie, a hitman nearing retirement who wants to show that he still has what it takes. Aneurin Barnard and Tom Wilkinson make for a likable comedy duo. Both men are polite and good-natured in spite of the contract between them, and their offbeat pseudo-friendship carries the film.
Beyond its leads, Dead in a Week (Or Your Money Back) is a serviceable comedy that’s packed with irony and other forms of understated humor. The plot varies between William running towards his own death and running away from it, hounded by one of the nicest assassins in movie history. The dialogue shows the right level of detachment while still touching on meaningful themes. The scope of the film is limited but builds on its characters well.
Dead in a Week (Or Your Money Back) will not appeal to every viewer. Its narrow scope, macabre subject matter, and dry sense of humor make it something of a niche pick, while the quality of its execution alone isn’t enough to set it apart from the pack. But for the right viewer, its creative premise, likable characters, and clever writing will make it an unusual treat. Skip it if you’re looking for more overt comedy or lighter subject matter.
For a somewhat darker black comedy with similar themes, try In Bruges. For an Irish comedy with a similar attitude towards life, try The Guard. For a more dramatic comedy about dying, try Stranger Than Fiction.
6.2 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.5 to 7.0 for good characters and a pleasantly twisted premise.