This article is about the 1997 film. For other uses, see
twin
city.
Twin Town is a 1997 black comedy
film made and set in Swansea, South Wales, although some
parts were filmed in Port Talbot. It was directed by Kevin Allen and was originally intended to be called Hot Dog, a hot dog van was featured in a number
of scenes in the film. It stars real-life brothers Rhys Ifans and Llŷr Ifans and also features Dougray Scott. In typical
Hitchcock style the director appears on screen, briefly seen as a show host on a TV set
in the static caravan home of the twins.
Plot
The Lewis "twins" of the title are not twins but brothers. They spend their lives stealing cars and sniffing glue. Fatty Lewis, their father, falls from a ladder whilst doing roofing work for Bryn Cartwright, a
wealthy, prominent local businessman and small-time gangster. The twins attempt to demand compensation for the accident. Bryn refuses. The twins take revenge by ruining a local
karaoke competition in which Bryn's daughter is singing by urinating on her during the
performance. Bryn and Terry Walsh, a corrupt police detective, beat up the twins.
As retaliation continues, the feud spirals out of control, progressing with the beheading of the
Cartwrights' pet poodle to Terry Walsh setting fire to the Lewises' dog's kennel; a gas bottle explodes, destroying the Lewises'
mobile home and causing the deaths of the twins' family, leading to the murder of Bryn by
the twins in retaliation.
The twins grant their father's wish of having a burial at sea. This is a rather poignant moment of the film, which is
accompanied by a male voice choir singing the Welsh song "Myfanwy" out on the Mumbles pier. Fatty's coffin is draped in the Welsh flag. Meanwhile though, Terry Walsh has been gagged and
bound to the sinking coffin, his eyes terrified and pleading.
The twins are last seen sailing out to sea, heading for Morocco, a symbolic promised
land.
Throughout the film are subplots that tie the characters together and give them substance as well as providing honest,
realistic and hilarious comedy. The overall impression is of an amoral section of society where corruption is normal, even the
vicar is bought. The police are the criminals, and everyone else switches between crime and honest living as easily as changing
clothes. Despite this the central story tells of an important, if unconventional, family bond.
Cast
Llyr Ifans ... Julian Lewis (as Llyr Evans)
Rhys Ifans ... Jeremy Lewis
Huw Ceredig ... Fatty Lewis
Rachel Scorgie ... Adie Lewis
Di Botcher ... Jean Lewis
Dougray Scott ... Terry Walsh
Dorien Thomas ... Greyo
William Thomas ... Bryn Cartwright
Jenny Evans ... Bonny Cartwright
Sue Roderick ... Lucy Cartwright
Brian Hibbard ... Dai Reese
Morgan Hopkins ... Chip Roberts
Critical response
Due to the involvement of Trainspotting 's director and producer as executive producers, and to the bleak portrayal of life revolving around drugs and petty (and less
petty) crime, Twin Town is often described as a "Welsh Trainspotting", a comparison which is almost equally often
decried.[citation needed]
Time Out London described the film as "a plain misfire," but praised the brothers'
performances as showing a lot of promise.[1]
Amateur reviewers have been more positive. For example Yahoo site visitors gave the film a B+ rating and Amazon reviews
averaged 4½ stars. Many of the reviewers seem to have tried to compare this with other films such as Trainspotting, whereas people who most enjoyed the film talk about it on its own merits.
The film is also noted for having many uses
of the word "fuck".
Most of the original cast of the movie gave a reading of the script at the Laugharne
Festival in April 2007. The performance proved to be interactive - most of the audience knew the script by heart, providing an
accompaniment to the actors.
See also
External links
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