Cast: Christopher Eccleston, Madeleine Madden, Tom Vaughan-Lawlor and Ger Ryan
Director: Stephen Burke
Genre: Comedy, Crime, Drama
In Irish Cinemas: Now
Despite being based on one of the most notorious bank robberies in Irish history, Chasing Millions struggles to turn its intriguing premise into anything remotely memorable. What should have been a sharp, entertaining crime comedy instead feels like a disjointed production that mistakes a few amusing moments for a genuinely successful film.
Writer-director Stephen Burke attempts to combine the Northern Bank robbery of 2004 with humour and the complicated history of post-Troubles Northern Ireland. Unfortunately, the result lacks the balance needed to make either the comedy or the crime elements particularly effective. The subject matter offers plenty of potential, but the screenplay rarely makes the most of it.
Christopher Eccleston stars as Crayford, a frustrated detective partnered with Australian officer Diana, played by Madeleine Madden. Although the two actors make a reasonable effort, their relationship relies heavily on familiar character clichés. The grumpy veteran and the confident newcomer are hardly groundbreaking material, and while there are occasional flashes of chemistry, their interactions are not strong enough to carry the film.
The bigger problem is the writing. Rather than building suspense or delivering consistently sharp comedy, the story wanders through increasingly implausible twists that make the plot feel unnecessarily complicated. Jokes frequently fall flat, and scenes that appear designed to be hilarious often end up feeling awkward or overextended.
Burke previously demonstrated his ability to handle politically sensitive material in Maze, but Chasing Millions feels considerably less assured. Its attempt to find humour in a serious historical event might have worked with a tighter script and a more confident sense of direction. Instead, the film struggles to establish a convincing tone, leaving viewers uncertain whether they should be laughing at the absurdity of the characters or taking the underlying events seriously.
There are moments when the cast manages to inject some energy into the proceedings, but these brief highlights do little to compensate for the film’s inconsistent pacing and underdeveloped story. Even the central heist, which should provide the narrative with its driving force, fails to generate the excitement or tension necessary to keep the audience invested.
The production details, including the decision to film much of the Belfast-set story in Dublin and Dundalk, are more interesting than some of the material on screen. The soundtrack by Jim Moginie of Midnight Oil adds a distinctive musical element, but it cannot disguise the film’s broader shortcomings.
Ultimately, Chasing Millions is a disappointing attempt to turn a fascinating real-life crime into an engaging comedy. The performances occasionally offer something to enjoy, but weak storytelling, uneven humour and an overcomplicated plot prevent the film from reaching its potential. With such an extraordinary event at its centre, it is frustrating to see so little made of the opportunity.
A promising premise squandered by uninspired writing and inconsistent comedy. Chasing Millions has a few fleeting moments of entertainment, but it never comes close to being the clever, compelling crime caper it wants to be.
Overall: 4.5 /10
Movie Reviewer
