"British cinema is alive and kicking!"

Sometimes the best things in life take you by surprise. I can't remember the number of times that I have seen a trailer for a film, got embarrassingly excited to the point of near incontinence, only to have my bubble well and truly burst when I finally saw the film on the big screen.

I had never heard of Three and Out before getting my invite, and was slightly apprehensive given my general apathy to British comedy. But low and behold, was unfolded before my eyes was an absolute gem - dare I go as far to say one of the best British films I have ever seen.

Mckenzie Crook plays Paul, a struggling writer who dreams of living in blissful isolation in Scotland. Trudging through his mind numbing day job as a tube driver, Paul finds himself on the precipice of achieving his dream. After two tragic accidents within a month, Paul learns of the ‘three and out' rule, whereupon you receive a discharge with 10 years pay in a lump sum if three people die under your wheels within a 30 day period - this was his chance to leave the rat race and finally live the life he so desired!

What follows is a touching, hilarious (particular mention must go to Maurice, an intriguing Frenchman played brilliantly by Sir Anthony Sher) and tragic adventure as we follow Paul in his quest to achieve ‘three and out'. Finding his sacrificial lamb in Tommy (Colm Meaney), Paul agrees to give Tommy £1500 to tie up loose ends with his family on what is to be his last weekend alive.

A perfect blend of comedy and tragedy, Three And Out truly makes you care about and engage with the characters, a feat many modern films seem to have forgotten about in this age of huge budgets and magical special effects. And if the story alone doesn't achieve enough, the film even manages to find a use for that most annoying of human beings, Kerry Katona!