Film: The Baker (comedy)

Production Company: Grandville Pictures

Written and Directed by: Gareth Lewis

Principal Actors: Damien Lewis, Kate Ashfield, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Michael Gambon

Screening Date: September 19, 2009 Kansas International Film Festival

Film length: 86 minutes

Rating: unrated

Reviewed By: Deborah Ground Buckner

Hitman Milo (Damien Lewis – Band of Brothers; Life) is caught in an act of mercy by fellow hitman Bjorn (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau – New Amsterdam). With Bjorn planning to eliminate him, Milo decides to go into hiding. His friend and adviser, Leo (Michael Gambon – most recently of the Harry Potter films) instructs him to take some time in his place in the country. Milo reaches the location in a small village in Wales and discovers his hideout is a bakery and he is believed to be the much- anticipated new baker.

Milo takes his assassin's arsenal to a hillside to bury it, only to have it discovered by Eggs (Dyfan Dwyfor ), the local boy with a passion for explosives and an ambition to be a hitman or spy himself. Soon smitten with the village veterinarian (Kate Ashfield), Milo decides to embrace his new life and stocks up on cookbooks and baking supplies. He is quickly immersed in village life with a quirky assembly of characters (reminiscent of The Englishman Who Went Up a Hill But Came Down a Mountain). Meanwhile, Eggs studies the weapons he uncovered and learns Milo's gun is a particular favorite of hitmen. He soon spreads the news to the other villagers, each of whom finds a reason for business with “The Baker”. Interspersed with the village events is Bjorn getting closer and closer in his quest to find Milo.

Each village character manages to stand out from the ensemble, becoming clearly definable and engaging. Audiences will be pulling for Milo and his belief that “Everyone deserves a second chance.” Beautiful scenes of the countryside (juxtaposed against the impact of Eggs and his explosives) and charming storefronts create an enchanting world. Michael Gambon is great fun as the seen-it-all done-it-all Leo, Kate Ashfield provides a lovely, spirited love interest, and the mysterious relationship between Milo and Bjorn is fun to watch as it unfolds.

The Baker received the Best Feature Film award at the RiverRun International Film Festival (2008), the Audience Favorite Award at the Connecticut Film Festival (2009), and the Gold Remi Award for Editing and the Special Jury Remi Award for a Theatrical Feature Film, at Worldfest Houston (2009).

Written by :

Deborah

 

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