You might know 'Big Fat Gypsy Gangster' as that film starring Ricky Grover, Omid Djalili, Tulisa from N-Dubz and Rochelle from The Saturdays. Oh and Derek Acorah. Last Wednesday, Ced and I represented Team FG at the film's premiere, which you can read all about below, ahead of its release on DVD today.
The premiere was held at the Renoir Cinema in Russell Square, London - next to the value for money eatery Hare & Tortoise, I might add. I've never been to the Renoir before which is particularly shameful as I lived in nearby university halls for a year. It seems like a nice enough cinema and was appropriately kitted out with a red carpet...and, err, midgets.
Rather pleasingly as we took our seats, we discovered a goody bag - including a DVD of the film, popcorn, beef jerky, and a bottle of water. Who doesn't like free things?! Anyway, the film's star and co-writer Ricky Grover gave us a brief, humourous introduction before the real reason why we were all here kicked off.
I'm not really sure what to say about 'Big Fat Gypsy Gangster'. It's certainly not "'Monty Python' meets 'Snatch'" as the poster claims. Instead, its mockumentary style is perhaps more in line with 'This Is Spinal Tap' while also attempting to capture the current gypsy zeitgeist in the media. (We even recently reviewed a film related to gypsies - 'Knuckle').
The 'Big Fat Gypsy Gangster' who Grover portrays is Bulla, an East End hardman recently released after sixteen years in jail. The corrupt police officer (Eddie Webber) who put him behind bars now owns much of what was once Bulla's. An American documentary crew documents Bulla's first steps back into his old life as he seeks to take down his nemesis, with the help of his spirit guides, midgets and his insane Aunt Queenie (Laila Morse).
'Big Fat Gypsy Gangster' is pretty ridiculous and a bit stupid but Grover is fairly charismatic as Bulla and it's something of a return to form for Djalili, who is at the heart of most of the film's comedic moments. It's a pity there aren't more good moments though, especially in terms of the drama which is largely glossed over bar Peter Capaldi's impressively emotional therapist character.
Basically things boil down to the fact of whether you think 'Big Fat Gypsy Gangster' sounds like a good concept. If you do then you'll probably enjoy it. If you don't, then you probably won't. Simples.
'Big Fat Gypsy Gangster' is available to purchase from your local retailer, Amazon.co.uk etc.
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