Plunkett & Macleane
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| Plunkett & Macleane | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Jake Scott (director) |
| Produced by | Gary Oldman Tim Bevan Eric Fellner Selwyn Roberts |
| Starring | Jonny Lee Miller Robert Carlyle Liv Tyler Ken Stott Tommy Flanagan Alan Cumming Michael Gambon David Walliams Matt Lucas |
| Music by | Craig Armstrong |
| Cinematography | John Mathieson |
| Distributed by | Polygram Universal Studios USA Films |
| Release date(s) | 1999-04-02 |
| Running time | 93 min. |
| Country | UK Czech republic |
| Language | English |
| IMDb profile | |
Plunkett and Macleane is a 1999 period movie directed by Jake Scott, starring Robert Carlyle, Jonny Lee Miller and Liv Tyler. It follows the story of Cpt. James Macleane, (Miller), and Will Plunkett (Carlyle), two men in 18th century England who are both struggling to survive.
[edit] Main characters
Captain James Macleane (played by Jonny Lee Miller) - although he is presumably nobility, he has fallen into debt and cannot afford the lifestyle he wants. His main use in the partnership is to use his connections to find out who to rob and where to find them. His charm earns him the title "The Gentleman Highwayman". He falls in love with Lady Rebecca.
Will Plunkett (Robert Carlyle) - he is common (he "used to be an apothecary") and as such can't raise his place in society. He has no money and his only hope is to turn to thievery. He is, however, very clever and plans most of the hold-ups in the film. He is also a skilled fighter, teaching Macleane how to shoot well and winning (although this is not true of the actual verdict), a duel with Mr. Chance. He shows respect towards women and distaste for most of the upper-class.
Lady Rebecca Gibson (Liv Tyler) - she is the niece of Chief Justice Gibson. She is wanted by many for a wife, but she longs for more adventure in her life. She is educated, and skilled at shooting. She smokes and is rude to Chance, which shows her rebellious side.
Thief Taker General Chance (Ken Stott) - Very cruel. Likes to torture victims by pressing their eyes into their skull. Tries to sexually assault Lady Rebecca. Hated by everyone, including Lord Chief Justice Gibson who is the only one keeping him where he is, and eventually kills Gibson in order to frame Plunkett and Macleane.
[edit] Plot
Before they meet, Plunkett is some sort of criminal working with a partner. However, very soon into the film his parner is killed by Thief Taker General Chance, and Plunkett finds himself on the run from the - for want of a better term - police as well.
This incident was witnessed by Captain James Macleane, who was being taken to a debtors' prison. He also sees Plunkett's partner swallow a ruby, which he sees as his ticket out of debt, and, after narrowly escaping discovery by Chance, he goes to the cemetery and tries to exhume the body and retreave the ruby.
Unknown to him, Plunkett is also at the cemetery, and he forces Macleane to give the ruby to him. He then also swallows it, as they are both found by Chance's men. They go together to prison, and Plunkett realises that, because of Macleane's nobility, he can give the ruby to Macleane and he can use his influence to buy them both out of prison. This, despite protests from Macleane, starts a partnership which could be very successful, where they use Macleane's title to get to know the rich, and Plunkett's brains and planning to rob them later on. However, this all goes haywire when Macleane falls for the beautiful Lady Rebecca and lets their secret slip.
Eventually, Plunkett's plans to escape the country to America are spoilt by Macleane's uncontrollable spending, and Plunkett leaves him to the gallows. However, Plunkett comes back at the very last minute to save his friend, and all three leave for America.
At the very end we see Plunkett get his own back on Chance, as he shoots him in the sewer. This is counted as a good thing by all.
