That Sinking Feeling

‘The action of this film takes place in a fictitious town called Glasgow. Any resemblance to any real town called Glasgow is purely coincidental.’ So reads the disclaimer with which Bill Forsyth opens his 1980 debut. Like the director’s subsequent hits Gregory’s Girl and Local Hero, this story of disaffected youths planning the biggest kitchen sink heist in history is notable for the sincere affection shown toward its characters.

Shot largely on location, Forsyth’s fairy tale depiction of Thatcher’s Glasgow is utterly compelling, with the city’s neglected wastelands populated by a legion of benign eccentrics. Unfortunately, while his best work deftly balances pathos and humour, That Sinking Feeling is too irreverent to impress like his best work. Its amusing premise throws up few surprises, while scenes featuring young men in drag have dated badly. Still, the acned cast are brilliant throughout and it's a joy to hear their regional accents (previously dubbed over for the American market) restored on this re-release. [Lewis Porteous]