Prepare to have your expectations utterly subverted. 'Ebony & Ivory', the latest offering from the world of surreal British indie cinema, is a comedy that defiantly marches to the beat of its own drum. This is not a biopic, nor is it a tribute. It's something far stranger and, for the right audience, utterly brilliant.
The film presents us with two hapless, down-on-their-luck impersonators—one a faux Paul McCartney, the other a not-quite-Stevie Wonder—who are thrust into a witness protection programme. Their new identities? Ironically, they are to become… Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder. The film delights in this central, glorious absurdity, mining it for every ounce of comedic potential.
A Masterclass in Surreal Humour and Offbeat Charm
The genius of the film lies not in its plot, but in its execution. The tone is a precarious balancing act between deadpan delivery and outright farce. The two leads, whose names are wisely kept from the marquee to preserve the illusion, deliver performances of remarkable commitment. Their portrayal is less about spot-on imitation and more about capturing the sheer surrealism of their predicament.
Director Ben Target, a stalwart of the live comedy circuit, translates his quirky sensibilities to the screen with confidence. The visual style is crisp and unassuming, allowing the bizarre dialogue and situational comedy to take centre stage. It feels like a long-lost comedy gem from another era, yet its humour feels fresh and unpredictable.
More Than Just a Silly Comedy
Beneath the surface-level silliness, 'Ebony & Ivory' offers a surprisingly poignant commentary on identity, fandom, and the nature of performance. What does it mean to be an artist when you're forever living in the shadow of a legend? The film cleverly explores these ideas without ever becoming pretentious or losing its comedic momentum.
It’s a film that demands a specific taste. If your humour leans towards the conventional, its eccentricities might feel alienating. But for those who cherish the weird and wonderful in British comedy—fans of The Mighty Boosh or Garth Marenghi's Darkplace—this film is an unmissable treat. It’s a confident, laugh-out-loud funny, and brilliantly original debut that marks Ben Target as a filmmaker to watch.
In a landscape of safe reboots and formulaic sequels, 'Ebony & Ivory' is a daring and welcome anomaly. It’s a testament to the fact that the most original ideas in film often come from the left field, armed with a killer joke and a completely straight face.
