MINDHORN (2016)

Summary:

Richard Thorncroft, a washed-up actor best known for his 1980s TV detective series "Mindhorn," finds his comfortable obscurity shattered when a real-life murder investigation on the Isle of Man demands his unique expertise. A deluded serial killer, Paul Melly, will only communicate with the fictional detective Mindhorn, believing him to be a real person with a bionic eye that "sees the truth." This forces Thorncroft to return to the island, don his iconic trench coat and eye-patch, and reluctantly inhabit the role that defined and ultimately confined him.

As Thorncroft struggles to separate his own fading reality from the flamboyant persona of Mindhorn, he navigates a bizarre murder plot, reconnects with his estranged former co-star and lover, Patricia, and clashes with an unamused local police force. The film is a hilarious and poignant exploration of celebrity, nostalgia, and the blurred lines between fiction and reality, as Richard must confront his past and perhaps even find a glimmer of genuine heroism within his theatrical shell.

Keywords: Mindhorn, 2016, Julian Barratt, Essie Davis, Russell Tovey, Comedy, Mystery, Satire.

Plot:

The film opens by introducing Richard Thorncroft, a once-celebrated television actor whose career peaked in the late 1980s with the popular detective series "Mindhorn." The show, set on the picturesque Isle of Man, followed the titular detective, a man whose bionic eye could literally "see the truth," allowing him to solve crimes with improbable ease. Decades later, Richard lives a rather pathetic existence in London, clinging desperately to the faded glory of his past, attending minor conventions, and struggling to land even the most insignificant acting roles. He’s a man trapped by his most famous character, unable to move beyond the shadow of Mindhorn.

His mundane life is abruptly interrupted by a phone call from the Isle of Man police. A suspected serial killer, Paul Melly, has been apprehended, but he refuses to speak to anyone other than Mindhorn. Melly, a deeply disturbed and dangerously obsessive individual, genuinely believes that Mindhorn is a real person and that his bionic eye holds the key to proving his innocence. Seeing an unexpected opportunity for a career resurgence, Richard eagerly accepts the bizarre invitation, convinced that his dramatic return will be a triumphant comeback. He quickly flies to the Isle of Man, a place he hasn't visited in years, expecting a hero's welcome.

Upon his arrival, Richard is met with a far less enthusiastic reception than he anticipated. The local police force, led by the exasperated Chief Inspector Derek Newton, views him as an unwelcome distraction and a relic of a bygone era. Newton, a no-nonsense officer, has no patience for Richard's theatrical posturing and thinly veiled attempts to relive his glory days. Richard's first encounter with Paul Melly is a surreal experience. Melly, cloaked in a homemade Mindhorn-esque costume, speaks in riddles and demands that Mindhorn use his "Orb of Truth" – a fictional device from the show – to exonerate him. Richard, forced to improvise, plays along, much to the frustration of the police who are trying to conduct a serious murder investigation.

As Richard delves deeper into the case, he is also forced to confront his personal past on the island. He attempts to reconnect with his former co-star and on-screen love interest, Patricia, who now works as a successful local news anchor. However, he discovers that Patricia has moved on, now in a relationship with Peter Easterman, Richard's former stunt double from the Mindhorn show. Peter, a man of quiet competence and genuine affection for Patricia, represents everything Richard isn't – grounded, successful, and genuinely happy. This love triangle adds a layer of personal humiliation and jealousy to Richard's already awkward return.

Richard's attempts to "solve" the case as Mindhorn often lead to comedic chaos. He insists on following the convoluted logic of the TV show, much to the bewilderment of the police. He explores old filming locations, recites lines from the script, and tries to channel the fictional detective's intuition, frequently making things worse or stumbling into genuine clues by accident. The police, while initially dismissive, reluctantly allow him to participate, hoping to gain Melly's trust and extract vital information. Meanwhile, Clive Parnevik, Richard's unscrupulous former manager, arrives on the island, sensing a lucrative opportunity to capitalize on the media frenzy surrounding Mindhorn's return, further complicating Richard's already fragile mental state.

The investigation takes a darker turn when it becomes clear that Melly is not just a deluded fan, but a dangerous individual with a meticulously planned agenda. Melly's obsession with Mindhorn is deeply rooted in his own twisted interpretation of the show's lore. He believes that the crimes he committed were necessary steps to force Mindhorn's return and expose a deeper "truth" about the Isle of Man, linked to the fictional history of the show itself. Richard discovers that Melly's victims are connected to the production of the original "Mindhorn" series, leading him to suspect that Melly is seeking revenge for some perceived slight or injustice related to the show.

The climax of the film sees Richard, still awkwardly playing Mindhorn, confronting Melly at the iconic lighthouse where Mindhorn's bionic eye was supposedly "forged" in the show's mythology. Melly has taken Patricia hostage, forcing a tense standoff. Richard, initially relying on his acting skills and Mindhorn's catchphrases, slowly begins to shed his theatrical persona. In a moment of genuine desperation and courage, he stops acting and starts thinking like a real person, using his knowledge of Melly's obsession and the show's intricate details to outsmart the killer. He appeals to Melly's warped sense of justice, using the "truth" of Mindhorn's world to manipulate him.

In a thrilling sequence, involving stunts and a surprisingly agile Richard, Melly is eventually subdued. Richard, through this ordeal, has a moment of profound self-realization. He understands that while Mindhorn was a part of him, it doesn't define him entirely. He finally begins to differentiate between the character and himself, accepting his past while looking towards a future that isn't solely reliant on his old fame. The case is solved, and Melly is taken into custody. Richard, though not a real hero, has inadvertently played a crucial role in saving Patricia and bringing a dangerous criminal to justice.

In the aftermath, Richard makes peace with Patricia and Peter, accepting their relationship. He doesn't achieve the grand comeback he initially envisioned, but he gains something more valuable: a measure of self-respect and the freedom to pursue new opportunities, no longer entirely beholden to the ghost of Mindhorn. The film concludes with Richard finding a new, albeit still somewhat eccentric, path in life, hinting at a quiet contentment he hadn't known before, finally free from the gilded cage of his past celebrity.

Cast (Lead Roles):

• Julian Barratt as Richard Thorncroft / Mindhorn
• Essie Davis as Patricia
• Russell Tovey as Paul Melly
• Simon Farnaby as Peter Easterman
• Andrea Riseborough as DC Kye King
• Nicholas Farrell as Chief Inspector Derek Newton

Crew:

• Director: Sean Foley
• Writers: Julian Barratt, Simon Farnaby
• Producers: Laura Hastings-Smith, Julian Barratt, Simon Farnaby
• Cinematography: David Mackie
• Editor: Chris Gill
• Music: Liam Hutton

Release Info:

• Original Release Date: 5 May 2017 (United Kingdom)
• Language: English
• Genre: Comedy, Mystery
• Running Time: 89 minutes
• Accolades: British Independent Film Award nomination for Best Screenplay (Julian Barratt, Simon Farnaby)