Director: Simon Delaney
Cast: Rory Kinnear (Rob Black), Duncan James (Himself), Miranda Raison (Linsey), Nigel Harman (Rich Black), Steve John Shepherd (Paul), Ingrid Oliver (Rebecca Black), Ruth Bradley (Laura), Laura Haddock (Nicky) & Gemma Atkinson (Herself)
When his ex-girlfriend gets engaged to celebrity hunk Duncan James, Rob is invited to their wedding and decides to upstage his ex by ensuring his "plus one" is a gorgeous babe...Unfortunately sold on the back of the sitcom debut of popstar Duncan James (formerly of Blue fame), Plus One was a pleasant surprise. Not only for the surprisingly decent turn from James -- who was natural on-screen, albeit playing himself -- but for becoming a decent comedy in the Farrelly Brothers tradition.
Rory Kinnear (son of the late Roy Kinnear), takes the lead as likable slacker Rob Black, whose ex-girlfriend Linsey (Spooks' Miranda Raison) has moved onto the aforementioned pop hunk. Unsurprisingly, Rob's self-esteem is at a low ebb, but when he's invited to their wedding, Rob decides to get revenge on his ex by upstaging her with a gorgeous "plus one" on his arm...
Rob's ideal plus one is Gemma Atkinson (another celeb cameo), but he doesn't hold out much hope in attracting someone of that calibre. However, work colleague Laura (Ruth Bradley) sets him up with a sexy TV model called Nicky (Laura Haddock). After going on a date, Rob is amazed to find Nicky seems to genuinely like him -- so is his plan robust enough for him to make a move on her...?
There's a lot to enjoy in Plus One, which begins a little shakily (not helped by the apparent stunt casting of Duncan James), but quickly settles down once Rob is hooked up with Nicky. A few characters exist purely to stretch the material (Rob's friend Paul), or act as pay-off for a final joke (Rob's brother Rich), but neither 't slow the pace.
Above all, Rory Kinnear's performance was strong, and his character Rob made a plausible loser in the Seth Rogen mould. It's also easy to find emotional connection with a character who's constantly being slapped around the face by life, and generally given a bad lot. Any bloke would be annoyed if their girlfriend left them for a celebrity pin-up, so the episode's driving force connected well.
You find yourself really hoping Rob will succeed with the lovely Nicky, so when an unfortunate accident in a toilet with a slice of chili occurs, you'll be cringing with embarrassment for him. I didn't quite believe the whole chili incident -- it being so improbable, really -- but the end result certainly made me squirm as intended.
Overall, Plus One was a surprisingly good episode of the Comedy Showcase season, which has yet to fall flat on its face. Rory Kinnear is a refreshingly normal lead, there's good support from the cast (particularly Laura Haddock as Nicky), the celebrity cameos work better than expected, while the plot itself builds nicely. The only thing I wasn't sold on were the slightly distracting characters, like Nigel Harman's handsome brother and Steve John Shepherd's oddball best-mate -- although the latter's perverted time-travel chat was amusing.
Ultimately, any comedy that ends with a "bum rape" gag must be worth a look...
19 October 2007
Channel 4, 10.30 pm
