Midlands Review of Bangalore
midlandsmovies • September 21, 2020
Bangalore
Directed by Joshua Brown
2020
Blackbeetle Films
From Blackbeetle Films comes Bangalore, a comedy crime short film about a duo of bungling burglars who bite off more than they can chew on a job destined for failure.
We're introduced to Dave (Neil Hurst) and Mike (Jas Steven Singh) as they wait inside their vehicle before they start the job, whilst both seem like complete novices in the world of crime it is Dave who sticks out like a sore thumb. Silly and oafish, he mentions to Mike that they should use code names for this job, similar to a film he had watched the night before - a nice send up to Reservoir Dogs!
Dave has a reason for his introduction to crime, he's a butcher by trade who has had to close his shop due to financial reasons. His unsavoury brother Rick calls one morning and offers him a lifeline, which he accepts, something his soon to be partner-in-crime Mike isn't happy about.
Writers Oliver Cowton and Scott Driver sprinkle puns, innuendos and double entendres throughout Bangalore, most of them hitting their mark. The comedy factor is helped massively by editor Harry Kumar who never lets a shot hang on a frame longer than needed.
Once our hapless burglars are into the property we see the homeowner (Brian Fileman) none the wiser, headphones in with music on full blast. He then enjoys a bath, as Mike and Dave wait impatiently to pounce.
Jas Steven Singh as Mike brings the confidence needed to play a leading role within the film and a leading role within the robbery. His performance stands out to me as he has to remain somewhat of a threat whilst balancing the witless act required for his part, similar to the roles George Clooney played for the Coen Brothers in the early 2000's.
Unsurprisingly the robbery doesn't go to plan, the safe is voice activated and set to a particular word which angers Mike, what angers him more is seeing Dave receiving yoga lessons from the homeowner as he's taped up to a chair.
A takeaway driver then knocks on the door and that's when the real problems mount up for our brainless duo, ending with a great gag certain to make the audience grin.
A band of daft criminals attempting a robbery isn't exceptionally original or brand new, however director Josh Brown makes it memorable, his cast have great chemistry, the cinematography is professional and well framed and the sound mix is perfectly in tune.
Guy Russell
Twitter @budguyer
The “All the world’s a stage” quote from 'little-known' Midlands playwright William Shakespeare opens up a new and quirky short from writer-director Declan Smith.
On the 4th of December 2025, as the cold moon rose, evil spirits and terrifying creatures lingered in the darkness. In rural Derbyshire, the full moon welcomed in the premiere of The Winster Werewolf – Amberwell Productions' new short, the fourth in their six-part ‘creature anthology’.
Sarah Hughes is a Midlands-based actress & TV, film and SFX artist is about to begin production on her first ever full feature film.
As part of our Midlands on the Move features, we speak to Carl Staples, a Midlands storyboarder and filmmaker with a wide range of regional experience and we found out more about Carl's work, his experience in the Midlands and what he's taken with him as his career developed...