2015 has been a hell of a year for British films, it's fair to say. Weve been treated to all sorts, from spy thrills to romantic spills and even some Scottish Shakespearian chills.
Its hard to think of a year when British cinema so successfully blended the box office blockbuster with the touching indie drama but, in 2015, we were treated to both in spades. Some of our finest actors have given career best performances over the last twelve months, including that Brit who took home the Academy Award for Best Actor In A Leading Role. Well have more on him later, rest assured.
We also saw the biggest British box office success for a September release, of all time. The record for biggest ever opening for an 18-rated British film was smashed as well, by the same movie. (If you cant guess what it is, youll have to wait to find out.) Whether you're a fan of side-splitting comedy, edge-of-your-seat action, thought-provoking sci-fi or moving character dramas, the British cinematic output offered something for absolutely everyone...
10. Man Up
Simon Pegg is a master of British comedy acting (shut up, yes he is), and in Man Up, he does some of his best work outside of the Cornetto Trilogy. Whats refreshing about this one is that it sees Pegg placed in a film written by a woman, focused on a female lead, allowing him to show a softer but no less silly side, in a supporting role. Like a lot of good romantic comedies, the set-up here is remarkably simple Peggs Jack has been told to meet his blind date under the clock at Waterloo, and so has Lake Bells Nancy. In a case of mistaken identity, they end up going out together, despite actually having arranged to meet two totally different people. In the style of a classic screwball comedy, hilarity ensues from this utter mismatch. Watching Pegg and Bell's accidental pair verbally sparring with each other via some tightly written dialogue is pure cinematic glee. On top of this, you get some stellar physical comedy, too. For example, the biggest laugh of the movie comes from an impromptu dance number to a catchy 80s anthem, while Simon Pegg faux-heroically forward-rolling through a window comes a close second. In this year of British blockbusters, Man Up is a welcome reminder that we Brits can master comedy as well as action.
