Fourplay (2001) User Reviews

Gorgeous London settings, fitfully amusing Woody Allen imitation

[EThompsonUMD · 5/10 · 3 September 2001]

Michael Binder the writer, director, and star of `Londinium' is clearly a Woody Allen wannabe. In my view that's not necessarily a bad thing. Unfortunately, this film is so derivative of Allen that one has to wonder why he isn't given due recognition in the credits. Contemporary London is here substituted for Allen's New York of the '70s and '80s. As in several of Allen's films of that period, the cityscape in `Londinium' dominates the film's cinematography, creating an urban tone poem of sorts as well as a sophisticated backdrop for the cross purpose comedy of courtship, sex, and marriage that constitutes the screenplay.

`Londinium' even brings back Mariel Hemingway, Woody's high school-aged love-interest in `Manhattan,' for a mid-life redaction of her earlier role. Binder himself seems to be auditioning for a part as `younger Woody' in a future Allen film. His character is a nearly complete borrowing of Woody's classic nebbish/lover/writer persona with a little Paul Reiser verbal inflection mixed in. The other two characters in the film's sexual foursome are played by the always-lovely-to-look at Irene Jacob, who provides the film's voiceover narrative for reasons that are never made clear, and Colin Firth (`Bridget Jones' Diary,' `Shakespeare in Love'), who once again offers up his unique (read: peculiar and off-putting) thuggish/romantic screen presence, taking it so far this time as to beating his friends and associates to a pulp whenever the impulse strikes. Actually, the fight impulse even overtakes the unlikely Ben Greene (the Binder character), producing an upper middle-class `Fight Club' scene that is supposed to be cathartic and funny, but just seems flat and dumb.

In addition to the leads, Stephen Fry (`Black Adder') has a very funny minor role as a proper British labor relations counselor who is pressed into unwilling service as a marriage/sex therapist. His scandalized reactions to some rather lurid confessions/accusations bandied by Jacob and Firth are the comic high point of an occasionally amusing, but mainly pretty dull and forgettable film.

Like so much Chinese food.

[=G= · 6/10 · 15 December 2002]

"Londinium" is a journeyman comedy set in London which is all about the core cast, two couples, all friends (Binder, Firth, Jacob, & Hemingway) and their struggle to find happiness in their relationships. Like so much Chinese food, the film is unsatisfying and inclined to leave the audience yearning for more substance by film's end. Sans an emotional anchor, the audience is left to play voyeur to the on screen antics as the players dutifully make their way from beginning to end in a bland screenplay with an incongruous stringed musical score out of the 40's. "Londinium" offers some mildly amusing moments, some quirkiness, and makes for an easy going small screen watch for mature couples. (C+)

What the Hell was Firth Thinking...?

[StacyOnEarth · 3/10 · 11 December 2004]

Mike Binder must have had some kind of seriously serious blackmail-worthy information on Colin Firth. There is no other way to explain why he'd allow himself to complete a single scene in this film without walking right off and calling a lawyer.

I only decided to watch this movie because Firth was in it, and hoped for a smart film that would distract me with voyeuristic moments into American-English cross-culturalism. Instead, one improbable scene after another violently attacked my intelligence, as Bender starts an affair with Margeaux Hemingway, who's married to Firth, who falls for Bender's wife. Hemingway and Bender then try to bait their spouses into an affair, which they then regret, compounded by the fact the the spouses fall in love with each other.

The consistent nonsense of this film comes from the humanly improbable scenarios, and the pervasive personality disorders of each character with no context whatsoever. Firth apparently is trying to come across as a cuckold, who likes "letting off steam" by violently beating up unsuspecting(?) staff who consistently meet with him after work in a pub. No cops, no witnesses, no suing, no quitting - just violence then "see ya at work tomorrow." Bender is just an idiot writer whose interests, goals, motivations and drive seem to shift schizophrenically in every scene. His wife is a control freak he and Firth can't seem to get over, while Hemingway plays a neurotic narcissist actress that everyone keeps tolerating. The nuttiness of this movie is compounded by the attempt at a romantic ending, which only leaves you dazed, confused and convinced that you will regret having ever donated 2 hours of your life to this movie.

In the credits, Binder adds "This Movie is for Dyno, I Love You..." Dyno, if this is representative of Binder's love, then you need to develop an escape plan. And hopefully, you missed the film he dedicated to you.

Loved the scenery

[morrowmmm · 3/10 · 4 February 2003]

This is a mishmash. it is attempting to achieve something but since it fails badly it is hard to know what. Is this a light comedy? Is this a Woody Allen take off? God knows...its all over the place but I loved the scenery of London in the summer. I liked the Mind of the Married Man on HBO and was sorry when they cancelled it but this is most peculiar. Possibly a slightly better script and decidedly better directing might have transformed this film ie made it more comprehensible. A bit of editing and the London Tourist Board would love it. But most of it is pretentious crap.

Sub-standard Notting Hill/Bridget Jones fare

[graham-turnock · 23 June 2004]

Other than saccharine shots of West London, if that appeals to you, and a lesson in "how not to do it" this film has relatively little to offer. The problem is in the writing. Many scenes are badly written, painfully unfunny - such as the sessions with the Stephen Fry's "labour relations" counselor -, or simply misjudged - the late night pub brawl which seems to be trying to reprise the excellent fight at the end of Bridget Jones' Diary, but looks more like a sick sub-Ritchiesque gangland denouement. To their credit, the actors do a good job with the material they are given. The plot is promising, and somewhere there was a good film in here but one feels that combining the roles of writer, director and lead actor lead to a fatal loss of internal critical tension.

An abomination upon my home town

[No_imagination · 1/10 · 19 July 2004]

Londinium is a terrible, terrible film. Mike Binder thinks he is a Woody Allen for the millennium. He is not. Woody Allen's Bergmanesque films are funnier than this film.

London is one of the greatest cities in the world, but you wouldn't get that if your only frame of reference was this film. It is a slur on its great name, and the writer/ director should never be allowed back within its walls as long as he lives.

All the people involved should be ashamed for being in this film. Particularly Stephen Fry and Jack Dee, two men who are very funny indeed and should know the difference between a comedy script and the steaming pile of effluent that masqueraded as a script for this film.

AVOID THIS FILM AT ALL COSTS. I HAVE SEEN IT SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO.

Utterly dire

[road-runner-1 · 1/10 · 23 January 2006]

Terrible film of no value to anyone other than the London Tourist Board. Most glaring implausibilities include: mid-level media types living in £7 million+ Belgravia houses (yeah, right); old gents with monocles (monocles?!?); empty Serpentine and Hyde Park on a sunny day; exclusively white Anglo-Saxon 'picturesque' locals; eternal sunny glow to everything; picnicking in white flannel suits; etc etc. All surrounded by a strange alternative universe that owes little resemblance to the London I live in, including bizarre geography that suggests you can be in Trafalgar Square one minute and Primrose Hill the next. Don't watch it for the story, which is shallow, silly, and extremely implausible. And whatever you do, don't watch it as a preface to visiting London; your expectations will be better matched by Disneyworld - which you may however find to be more gritty and naturalistic.

Truly awful

[per-181 · 1/10 · 6 August 2011]

To compare this to Notting Hill, as they do on the DVD cover, is the only thing funny about this film. No romance, no comedy, bad music... Can't find anything negative to say about the plot, though, because basically there is none.

Writing 10 lines about this "film" is absolutely impossible – stupid rule,by the way: why force reviewers to be long-winded?. So here go the first five lines again...

To compare this to Notting Hill, as they do on the DVD cover, is the only thing funny about this film. No romance, no comedy, bad music... Can't find anything negative to say about the plot, though, because basically there is none.

A Favorite Movie of Mine!

[lisalafreniere1 · 10/10 · 29 April 2004]

Mike Binder (Mind of The Married Man) is such a clever writer, and his male perspective of relationships fascinates me. His writing is honest, funny, and ironic. I had to search for this movie on DVD, but the name was changed to FOURPLAY for release in the United States. I think that he really brought something different out in the performances of Mariel Hemingway and especially Colin Firth, as you get to see a different side of him in this film. I love England, and as such, it gives such great scenery and glimpses of different areas of the country and the way it is filmed, you almost feel as though you are walking right alongside them on the streets of London. This movie is very much like a play in that it centers around four main characters, only interspersed with a few other very funny characters. I love it, and if you enjoy any of the people associated with this film, I highly recommend it. It's an incredibly intelligent film, but very funny. I especially love the pub scenes with Colin Firth and Mike Binder....Good stuff!

Every bully, wife batterer, or abuser will love this movie

[je-remy · 1/10 · 31 January 2014]

The violence in this film is supposed (I presume) to be funny, but its just distasteful. Psychological studies show that people ARE influenced by violence on screen. If its portrayed in a positive/justified way then the people watching will be more likely to take violence on board as a way of solving things.

We're told in the film we shouldn't judge anyone too harshly. We should. We should judge a violent bully who just beats people up because they've said something he doesn't like. And not positively.

This is a caricature of violence. Any number of people have died in street violence from a single punch where they've hit their head on the ground. Its not some comedy event, where after several punches, they just have to get their breath back and rub themselves a little bit. If this was a madcap movie in the "Airplane" genre or an actual cartoon the film might have got away with it. But its neither of those.

There aren't any positive likable characters in this movie. That one is just the worst. There is no-one to root for or identify with in the film.

Every workplace bully, wife batterer, or abuser will love this movie - as they'll just feel validated by it. Its a movie for them, no-one else.

A flopped and unconvincing attempt at humour with weak characters and dialogue

[bob the moo · 18 November 2007]

Carly Portland is the American star of British sitcom Tetford Gate produced by her husband Allen Portland. Ratings are falling so they bring in American writer Ben Greene. With time Ben falls for and marries the shows stunning French make-up artist Fiona Delgrazia. However it is not long before the feelings Ben has for Carly start to cause his relationship with Fiona to suffer. Meanwhile, he notices that Fiona and Allen are also getting close. Thus starts several years of relationship twists and turns between the four people.

I'm not entirely sure where to start with this film. On the surface it is some sort of romantic comedy but it doesn't really have much in it that makes for convincing "love" or indeed anything that I would describe as being all that funny. The end result is a film that never once engaged me and just came across as mistakenly thinking itself to be funnier and smarter than it actually was. So it moves along with dialogue that it cannot maintain and a confidence that it does not deserve to have. The fault for this must rest almost totally with writer and director Mike Binder. He has written characters that are not easy to relate to or understand or indeed even to like. The quartet of characters are poorly developed and they seem to do things for the sake of it; I'm not referring to their actions as people driven by lust (who can ever apply logic to such things) but specifically things like the fights outside pubs, which seemed to drop in from another film or be an idea that Binder had but had nobody working with him able to just say "you know what? this doesn't work").

As a result the film just flops long in a series of "ideas" without any real cohesion or reason to stick with it. The cast struggle and it shows. Binder himself seems to be under the illusion that he has written a modern relationship drama that will make him this generation's Woody Allen and as an actor he comes over like he knows it. It is a weak performance and he grated on me throughout. Firth is not as bad but just seems totally unsure of who he is playing. Hemingway is OK while Jacob is sexy as a presence but poor as a narrator. Small turns from Fry, Dee, Marcus and a few other well known faces do nothing really as they lack the material to work with.

Overall then a poor romantic comedy. The characters are poor and the actors cannot work with them or their dialogue as a result. The story and lives are unconvincing and there is not a spark of inspiration or wit to be had across the whole thing. I had never heard of this film before I recorded it a few weeks ago – now I understand why.

Good way to blow off some steam!

[mimacdon4 · 8/10 · 7 February 2003]

I found this a delightful study of relationships. It is a foursome ensemble cast of Colin Firth, Mariel Hemingway, Mike Binder and Irene Jacobs. It begins with Mike Binder arriving in London to work as a writer on set of Carly's (Mariel Hemingway) show that is produced by her husband Allen(Colin Firth). Mike Binder is introduced to makeup artist Fiona (Irene Jacobs) and they start a relationship. Carly and Allen look on to their friends passionate relationship and find something lacking in theirs. Mike Binder, never satisfied, looks to Carly for an affair when a real relationship with Fiona becomes too much work.

Allen is more than willing to oblige Mike and dally with Irene and they meet at a country Inn with paper thin walls. Carly and Mike are in the next room confirming the infidelity. Very funny.

I also enjoyed the farcical fight scenes with Allen pummeling his chums apologizing all the while continuing to beat the life out of them. The therapist scenes with Stephen Fry are hilarious.

Unbelievably bad story!

[darkteilani · 5 December 2003]

This movie is just crap! It's pointless, it isn't funny.

I just finished watching and write this in very fresh memory of this disappointing experience.

Not even Colin Firth manages to rescue some part of it. And since I'm a complete Firth-Lunatic, that's a weighty conclusion.

I can't even finally decide which movie is worse: The Playmaker or Londinium. Playmaker had at least the comfort of some very hot scenes under the shower which saved some of it. But this movie lacks any comfort of any kind.

And since in Germany you can only get it dubbed you cannot even listen to his beautiful voice but get this silly boyish dubbing voice.

The only slightly amusing scenes are those where Fiona and Allen try to solve their problems by consulting a therapist (Stephen Fry).

Well, actually it had some unintentional irony in it when Ben sees his play ruined by Carly (with the dying scene which was just illogic and silly). It was like "art imitating art" if this comparison might be allowed.. Though "art" might not be the right word for it.....

This movie is an utterly useless and completely unsuccessful attempt to do a Woody Allen Movie without the spirit, the wit and the timing of Woody Allen.

Over and over again I was just asking myself "WHAT??? You can't possibly be serious!!!"

Could anyone just explain to me PLEASE why those sudden outbreaks of hooliganism by Allen beating up everybody everytime outside the pub without any reason and doing innocent small talk during and after the act are supposed to be funny????That's not even weird, it's just stupid, silly, idiotic.....

Dear Fellow-Firthies, I know we all want to know every movie of ODB but I sincerely recommend to leave it to the very last, when there is no other Firth-movie left to watch (which I pray will never be!).

If curiosity overcomes you and you have to watch it before nevertheless be prepared and do have some good ODB-moments at hand to soothe the stale aftertaste....

Good way to let off some steam!

[mimacdon4 · 8/10 · 18 December 2002]

I was unsure of what to expect when I saw this film. I found it delightful. It is WoodyAllenesque, for sure. Mike Binder was a Woody in training. Colin Firth as Allen hit the mark and had great comedic timing. I loved the pub scenes, with him blowing off some steam. The first one which his two writer/employees after Ben/Fiona's wedding is priceless. Firth is really over the top for his usual more restrained/reserved film persona.

Special mention to Stephen Fry who was hilarious as labour union therapist trying to cope with more, much more, personal matters of Allen and Fiona.

Can't wait until this comes out on DVD! Michele

Quirky

[FlorenceLawrence · 23 June 2004]

Not a true representation of us Brit's, I do not think, (hope!) but then I am not a Londoner. It's very quirky and has a honest feel in it's style, and some lovely shots of London, beautiful lighting, gives it this dreamy glow.

Bit of a fore runner for love actually this film.

Colin Firth fan's, looking for Mr Darcy fans will be disappointed, more the Fever Pitch character here probably, but he plays it brilliantly as usual.

It is a really modern, deep look at relationships, which could tee of some great conversations.

Also very funny in places, Stephen Fry is so funny as the therapist and Jack Dee is his usual wonderful self, although it is strange to see him sharing a stage.

Definitely worth a watch this film.

Excellent work

[Davezawhoris · 10/10 · 2 January 2002]

An excellent movie about a real group of people in London. Funny, charming. Well made. Colin Firth and Mike Binder are great together. Good comedy. Irene Jacob and Mariel Hemingway are also good and Stephen Fry the comic genuis is in this and he almost steals he movie in three quick scenes. Can't wait until it comes out in DVD.

One scene makes the movie worth watching

[vic-12 · 10 October 2003]

There's not much to it except for beautiful people (Mariel

Hemingway) and a few funny situations. Not so funny is a

repetitive theme of unprovoked violence, which was passed off as

slapstick but proved more painful than funny.

The one scene was the couple in the marriage counsellor's office,

only the counsellor was a personnel counsellor and a hapless

chap that was clearly over his head, especially when the lovely lady

straight-facedly asked the counsellor to ask her husband, why

does he not like to kiss me between my legs like he used to. After

a go-around like that, she asked the counsellor to ask her

husband why he doesn't want her to make love with him with her

mouth anymore. "Ask him all the places where I do it." The park,

the Metro... "THE METRO?"

That's the funniest part about a half hour before the end. It's all

downhill after that.

Irene Jacob saves the day!

[ross_hocker-1 · 10/10 · 24 March 2005]

The only reason I enjoyed this film was the Swiss-born French actress Irene Jacob. She is both an exquisite and earthy beauty and a very fine actor. Her portrayal of the sex-and-love starved Fiona was the best aspect of this film. I also have a great bias because of her work with Kieslowski and her presence in films that would have been mediocre had it not been for her. She's a real charmer! I would venture to say that the variety of compositions by the Canadian composer Robert Farnon added a great and colorful sparkle to the brilliant photography of this film: it goes back to the days of the late Fifties and early Sixties art movies like David Lean's Summertime. The charm of this film is in that music and the beauty of Irene Jacob. The other actors are good but she is exceptionally fine.

A brilliant, funny, sexy and honest look at relationships

[Michaelz-1 · 10/10 · 31 March 2003]

Don't listen to any pretentious negative reviews about this gem. Mike Binder is one of the smartest and funniest people writing about modern relationships out there today. If you've enjoyed his HBO series,"Mind of the Married Man," you'll love this film. Woody Allen was never so honest and hard on himself as Binder is on his own character. The performances, including Binder's, are all flawless. The direction is tight and completely un-selfconscious. (Binder also directed and did a great job) From out loud laughs to some very sexy scenes, if you want an adult, nonformulaic, romantic comedy that honestly examines the vagaries of the human heart, see this film.

Terrific Romantic Comedy

[darbyrom · 10/10 · 29 September 2003]

Londinium is full of quips and sarcasm. Though there is something unreasonable about the plotline, such as the protagonists' unstable financial condition vs. good purchasing power, the movie does a great job of jabbing at humans' desire and reticular relationships, and at the same time, uncovering the truth about love and marriage. Londinium makes the best of the features of a superb romantic comedy!

Drags a little.

[demichloch · 8/10 · 2 September 2001]

It needs tightening up to pick up the pace. It had the potential of an outrageous comedy. The acting was uniformly good. The makeup of the cast was good and helped by the use of familiar faces. The sequel should have the audience rolling in the aisles.

Not bad at all

[fishhac · 28 February 2003]

I like Mike Binder quite a bit, from "Mind of the Married Man" (apparently, I was the only one) to "The Sex Monster." So, I was eager to see "Londinium" when it came up on HBO the other day. I went in with ZERO expectations and was pleasantly surprised. Which is to say that there were several parts of the film which were slow, and others where I was laughing out loud. Seven or eight out of 10.

Not very engaging... moderate time waster.

[Blueghost · 8 February 2011]

I never really understood these kinds of films. What we have here are a group of people attracted to one another, and going through the throws of success, sex and life in some kind of hapless social foray. One that really doesn't produce any kind of result. No happy endings here, and for all of the attempt at humor, there isn't too much that's funny here.

In this sense it's sort of an old fashioned comedy; i.e. stuff that's not really funny to begin with, but is presented with a kind of humorous attitude. Beyond that, there isn't too much to be made of this film.

Mariel Hemingway is gorgeous as ever, and Colin Firth attempts to save a struggling film with superior thesping. The others hold their own in the acting department. Camera angles are fairly plain. There's nothing really inspiring about this film. It promised to be a sex comedy, but doesn't do much for either promise.

Watch at your own risk.