A solicitor, a sketchy client, and a suspicious fire walk into a bar...
Stephen Milner is a solicitor, but he fits uneasily into the world of Lewis Strange and Partners, who are an upmarket firm of solicitors. The film follows Milner's fraught relationship with a lucrative client, Ron Jesson. When one of his offices goes up in flames, the press are convinced that Ron arranged the fire for insurance purposes. Milner also has to cope with an estranged wife, batty mother and debt ridden younger brother.
Acting
Mel Smith's rare straight-man turn, no jokes, all jitters.
Writing
Tight 71 minutes, every scene earns its keep.
Director
John Strickland
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Made for BBC's 'Screen Two' anthology series, which launched dozens of British filmmaking careers.
Mel Smith was primarily known for sketch comedy with Griff Rhys Jones; this role was deliberate career stretching.
GB
