After two tragic accidents in the space of a week, London Underground driver and aspiring writer Paul Callow is feeling suitably low. That is until his co-workers tells him of the 'three and out' rule; if three people fall under your train within a month you're forcibly retired with ten years salary. Seeing an opportunity to clear his debts and work on his novel, Paul decides to find a poor soul willing to end their days under his train. In steps Tommy Cassidy, depressed and estranged from his family, Tommy agrees to Paul's plan but only after making amends with his wife Rosemary and daughter Frankie. With time ticking the pair embark on a journey to England's picture-esque Lake District to take care of Tommy's unfinished business...

Three and Out is a sweet comedy that stars Mackenzie Crooke (The Office, Pirates of the Caribbean) as tube driver Paul Callow, who in the space of one month has accidentally run over two people at work. Two of his co-workers, Vik (Mark Benton) and Ash (Rhashan Stone) tell him about London Underground's policy of giving early retirement and ten years salary to all driver who are involved in three accidents in a month. With a week off for his last accident, Paul will be back to work the following Monday - the last day in the month he can be retired early. With his eye set on getting out of the rat race, Paul spends the next week looking for someone who will agree to jump in front of his train.

Colm Meaney (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Life on Mars (USA)) plays Tommy Cassidy, a man who Paul stops from committing suicide. Over a drink Paul makes Tommy his offer, with a cash incentive. Tommy agrees but on one condition, that he is allowed to go back to his family, who he walked out on eight years ago, and try to make his peace before he dies. Paul tags along, much to Tommy's annoyance, and the two slowly start to form a friendship. Will Tommy get a new lease of life and not want to go ahead with the deal? Or will Paul realise that committing murder is not how he wants his life to pan out? Whatever the outcome, Paul and Tommy's lives both take a very different path than before they met.

Three and Out sparked controversy before it was released in UK cinemas. The train drivers' union, ASLEF, had its members standing outside cinemas handing out leaflets and urging people to boycott the movie, as well as rubbishing the film in the press at every opportunity. If they'd actually seen the movie before running around getting all angry they'd realise that it is no more a farce about killing people on the London Underground than The Deer Hunter is about big game hunting.

At its heart, Three and Out is a beautifully constructed movie that is funny while still delivering great pathos.

Extras include Making of... (25 min, 41 sec); 10 deleted scenes; 2 trailers and Alternative Credits (2 min, 49 sec of clips from the movie).

Another great British comedy that doesn't go for cheap laughs, but really lets the viewer get under the skin of the characters. It's certainly a movie you'll be thinking about long after the end credits have rolled.

9

Pete Boomer