A Fistful of Fingers

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"The greatest western ever made...in Somerset."
  • TV-MA
  • 1995
  • 1 hr 18 min
  • 5.9  (1,002)

A Fistful of Fingers is a British comedy film from 1995, directed by Edgar Wright and starring Graham Low, Martin Curtis, and Oli van der Vijver. The film is a parody of spaghetti westerns, which were popular in the 1960s, and follows ace gunslinger Ace Winslow as he tries to save his town from the evil land baron, The Dairy Farmer.

The film opens with a narrated introduction, explaining that we are in the Wild West, and that there is only one man who can save the town of Tumbleweed from The Dairy Farmer - Ace Winslow. We then cut to Ace and his trusty companion, a horse named "Horse", as they ride through the badlands. They arrive in Tumbleweed and quickly get caught up in the town's problems.

Ace is immediately smitten with a local woman, named Pastor's Sister, and promises to protect Tumbleweed from The Dairy Farmer. However, Ace quickly realizes that he's in over his head when he discovers that the other gunslingers in town are also after The Dairy Farmer's bounty. Ace needs to rally the town together to stand up against the villainous Dairy Farmer, but can he convince the other gunslingers to put aside their differences and work together?

The film is full of classic spaghetti western tropes, such as tense standoffs and dramatic musical flourishes. However, these are all played for comedic effect, with the film never taking itself too seriously. The humor is largely derived from the film's irreverent approach to the genre, poking fun at everything from the over-the-top heroics of Ace Winslow to the dramatic music that plays every time he enters a room.

The cast is all excellent, with Graham Low giving a standout performance as Ace Winslow. Low is a natural comedian, and he brings a charming goofiness to the role that makes Ace both likable and hilarious. Martin Curtis and Oli van der Vijver are also great as the other gunslingers, each with their own unique quirks and personalities.

The film's visuals are also noteworthy, with director Edgar Wright making great use of the film's low budget. The sets and costumes are deliberately tacky, adding to the film's overall campy aesthetic. The cinematography is also excellent, with the film making great use of wide shots and low-angle close-ups to give the action a sense of scope and grandeur.

One of the film's greatest strengths is its script, which is full of witty one-liners and clever sight gags. The film's humor is often absurdist, with jokes ranging from the downright silly (like the fact that Ace always introduces himself as "Ace Winslow, that's Winslow with a 'W'") to the subtly subversive (such as the way the film plays with Ace's heroics and turns them on their head).

Overall, A Fistful of Fingers is a hilarious and charming parody that will appeal to fans of both westerns and comedies. It's a film that doesn't take itself too seriously, but still manages to offer up some great action and genuinely funny moments. It may not have made a big splash when it was first released, but it's definitely worth seeking out for fans of Edgar Wright or anyone looking for a lighthearted spoof of the classic western.

A Fistful of Fingers
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Description
  • Release Date
    1995
  • MPAA Rating
    TV-MA
  • Runtime
    1 hr 18 min
  • Language
    English
  • IMDB Rating
    5.9  (1,002)
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