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Appleseed Rectory, a rambling gothic house on the borders of London. Six hedonistic housemates flung together by fate, the college canteen, and a shared revulsion for the odious Keith (Nyman), gather for a weekend of drugs and sex. Giles (Condou) however, the owner of the place simply wants to ruminate on dentistry. To add a touch more spice, ring leader Quentin (Bettany) invites a disparate bunch of Americans, led by the drug-dispensing Marvel (Marsh). This potent mix of personalities and the embracing of abandonment ultimately makes for a disturbing, violent cocktail.
The transition from novel to screen can be a tricky affair, particularly in the case of Martin Amis whose witty, acerbic, immoral tales have in the past made poor screen bedfellows. "Dead Babies", Amis' second novel, ranks among his most incendiary with its mordant wit, black comedy, and sense of the violently absurd. Brave then of one William Marsh to choose such a text from which to make his screen debut, which sadly misfires on every conceivabale level.
The humour captures little of the book, emerging as hollow, brash, and uncomfortably peurile. The characters are admittedly grotesque, but not in the way Amis intended and their very boorishness soon outstays its welcome. Of a poor lot, Bettany continues to suggest promise but is in dire need of better roles. As for the direction (which betrays wrangles over the final edit), let's just say it looks very much looks like a first feature.
Apparently Amis approves - God knows why.
