Film Reviews by RB

Douglas Adams would turn in his grave if he saw this. It bears little if any resemblance to either of the "Dirk Gently" books either in characterisation or spirit. Its been updated and completely Americanised. The character of Dirk Gently is completely unrecognisable as a mid-20s, camp idiot, rather than the washed-up, down at heel , unshaven loser we all know and love. The tone is manic, comic-book style rather in the manner of "The Grand Budapest Hotel" and sits really badly with the slightly dark overtones of the original books. I managed to watch about half an hour before I couldn't bear it any longer. What a waste of a rental. If you have read and enjoyed the books, this really isn't going to work for you.

Assuming that you rented this film because you were completely swept away by the book - prepare yourself for a major disappointment. There is none of the long, slow, agonising build-up of tension here that the book creates and which the story demands. Major incidents are either missed out completely or skimped horribly, even though the film is practically perfectly cast - you sit there thinking what a good film it might have been had a better scriptwriter been employed on the project. It looks wonderful too - the gloomy, slowly rotting Hundreds Hall is visually perfect. But the script is pedestrian at best and dire at worst. A major disappointment.