This film is currently unavailable
The Singing Detective
Robert Downey Jr. is at his caustic best in this acerbic adaptation of Dennis Potter's classic serial about a writer tormented by dark visions from his own novels.
Director: Keith Gordon
Overview
A pre-Iron Man Robert Downey Jr. gives a reminder of his caustic flair in more adult-oriented material, in this film adaptation of Dennis Potter's revered BBC serial. Brilliantly cast in the role made famous by Michael Gambon, he plays a hospitalised writer tormented by paranoid delusions, including dark manifestations from his Noir literary creations and hallucinated impromptu song-and-dance numbers. Robin Wright Penn (House of Cards), Katie Holmes and Mel Gibson round out an impressive cast.
Potter's semi-autobiographical series was perhaps an unlikely candidate for a Hollywood makeover, but in the early 2000s its script adaptation became hot property, at various points earning the attention of Robert Altman and David Cronenberg. Eventually Mel Gibson became its champion, enlisting cult director Keith Gordon (Static) to the project. Gordon uses his cinematic freedom to amplify the sex and violence that Potter could only hint at on the BBC. And while the film received mixed reviews upon release, it remains a fascinating attempt to transpose Potter's fractured, digressive narrative into a standalone feature, filled with memorably deranged scenes and bilious brilliance from Downey Jr.
Contains very strong language and moderate sex and violenceRelated
Project A Project A
Action and Adventure 1983 106 mins Director: Jackie Chan
Jackie Chan’s rip-roaring action-adventure about a coastguard hot on the trail of a ruthless band of pirates in late 19th century Hong Kong.
The Foul King The Foul King
Comedy 2000 112 mins Director: Kim Jee-woon
Kim Jee-woon’s hilarious comedy, starring Song Kang-ho (Parasite) as a wimpy bank clerk who turns his hand to competitive wrestling.
Tangerine Tangerine
Comedy 2015 88 mins Director: Sean Baker
A big-hearted film shot on a small phone, this LA tale of two transgender working girls out for vengeance fizzes with wild energy.
Cop Secret Cop Secret
Comedy 2021 100 mins Director: Hannes Þór Halldórsson
Two Icelandic cops forced to work together become more than just buddies in this enjoyably explosive send-up of action movies.
Armour of God Armour of God
Comedy 1986 99 mins Director: Jackie Chan
Jackie Chan takes inspiration from Indiana Jones as he becomes embroiled in a dangerous quest to retrieve a lost treasure.
Street Trash Street Trash
Comedy 1987 101 mins Director: Jim Muro
A deadly liquor rips through a community of vagabonds living in the junkyards of Brooklyn, in this outlandish 80s body horror.
Romance & Cigarettes Romance & Cigarettes
Comedy 2006 106 mins Director: John Turturro
James Gandolfini, Susan Sarandon and Kate Winslet star in this tough and untamed musical from cult actor John Turturro.
Once Once
Musical 2007 87 mins Director: John Carney
The unique, charming musical about the whirlwind romance between an Irish street musician and a Czech immigrant; winner of an Oscar® and a major prize at Sundance Film Festival.
Leave It on the Floor Leave It on the Floor
Drama 2011 106 mins Director: Sheldon Larry
Sheldon Larry’s audacious, raunchy and big-hearted voguing musical, set in downtown LA.
Tokyo Tribe Tokyo Tribe
Action and Adventure 2014 116 mins Director: Sion Sono
Sion Sono's unique brand of subversive cinema explodes onscreen once again with this ingenious hybrid of Yakuza gang action and hip-hop musical.
Jamie and Jessie Are Not Together Jamie and Jessie Are Not Together
Musical 2011 101 mins Director: Wendy Jo Carlton
An indie comedy lesbian romance about falling in love with your best friend. With songs!
The Happiness of the Katakuris The Happiness of the Katakuris
Comedy 2001 113 mins Director: Takashi Miike
The Sound of Music meets Dawn of the Dead in Takashi Miike's deranged mix of grotesque stop-motion animation, surreal musical numbers, and zombie melodrama.
Police Story Police Story
Martial arts 1985 101 mins Director: Jackie Chan
Jackie Chan's mind-blowing, high-octane extravaganza of death-defying stunts and action comedy.
Hapkido Hapkido
Action and Adventure 1972 98 mins Director: Huang Feng
Two martial arts schools battle it out in Huang Feng’s action classic (aka Lady Kung Fu), starring long term collaborator and combat master, Angela Mao.
Project A Project A
Action and Adventure 1983 106 mins Director: Jackie Chan
Jackie Chan’s rip-roaring action-adventure about a coastguard hot on the trail of a ruthless band of pirates in late 19th century Hong Kong.
China O'Brien China O'Brien
Action and Adventure 1991 91 mins Director: Robert Clouse
Cynthia Rothrock stars as the tough city cop and martial artist on the trail of a local crime boss, in this action classic from the director of Enter the Dragon.
Jesus' Son Jesus' Son
Drama 1999 108 mins Director: Alison Maclean
Billy Crudup stars as a young drifter who gets hooked on heroin in this star-studded story of addiction, recovery and redemption.
The New Boy The New Boy
Drama 2023 96 mins Director: Warwick Thornton
Cate Blanchett is mesmerising as a feverish nun, in Warwick Thornton’s striking tale of spiritual worlds colliding in 1940s Australia.