Heavily influenced by country music and American independent cinema, Irish director Niall Heery's debut feature piles on the clichés and stereotypes, but leaves an unexpected impression. As an aspiring country singer, Doug (Iain Glen) has a suitably woe-filled life: his wife has kicked him out, forcing him to move in with garage-owning pal Billy (Steven Mackintosh), and he's being threatened by Burley (Stuart Graham), a hit-and-run killer recently released from prison. But Doug still dreams of stardom and when an opportunity to perform presents itself, he realises he has to shake off his past and grab his chance. The story offers nothing new, but the wry humour, capable performances and assured sense of place - rural Ireland acts as a fitting spiritual twin to country music's native States - make this an unassuming treat.
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