The Brylcreem Boys (1998)

*Get a physical copy of "The Brylcreem Boys" on Amazon here*
*Get a physical copy of "Jean Butler's Riverdance Collection" on Amazon here*
*Get a copy of In the Ranks of Death: The Irish in the Second World War by Richard Doherty on Amazon here*
*Get Brylcreem 3-in-1 Original High Shine Men's Hair Cream for Styling, Strengthening, and Conditioning, Alcohol-Free, 5.5 Ounce on Amazon here*

No, "The Brylcreem Boys" is not a documentary about men's hair dressing in the 1940's, nor does it feature actual boys as main characters. It is a poorly done slap in the face of those involved in World War II Europe.

Canadian R.A.F. pilot Myles Keogh (Bill Campbell) and his crew are shot down over what they think is France. They are arrested and transported to the local Irish prisoner of war camp. It seems Ireland is neutral in the war, holding captured British soldiers on one side of the camp, and captured Nazi soldiers on the other side. One of the Nazis is Rudolph (Angus Macfayden), and both Myles and Rudolph fall for local gal Mattie (Jean Butler). Before you ask how Myles and Rudolph could fall for Mattie while locked away in prison, I'll tell you. It seems prison commander O'Brien (Gabriel Byrne, who coproduced this silliness) lets all the prisoners out on day release passes, as long as everyone agrees to return at night. Crazy and nutty, huh? Myles and Mattie, er, discover each other's Blarney Stone, Rudolph turns into one of the really good, nice, polite Nazis, and soon a poorly executed prison break is on.

The film makers had such a great opportunity here, it is too bad they squandered it on the sappy Myles/Mattie/Rudy love triangle. An Irish prison containing British and Nazi prisoners? One character calls it a "madhouse," and it should have been. I settled back for some "M*A*S*H"/"Catch-22"-style satire, but by the end of the film I would have been happy with some kicky doofus "Hogan's Heroes"/"Major Dad"-style hi-jinks. Campbell is a blank. He looks good, but is given nothing to do. "Rudolph the Nice Nazi" Macfayden is a villain, then not, then a villain, then not, then... Butler used to be in "Riverdance" so be warned that spontaneous yet flawlessly executed Irish jigging suddenly breaks out midway through the film. William McNamara plays an annoying American movie star, and Byrne just looks dire. The film ends with the most depressing "what ever happened to...?" coda since "American Graffiti," and I was emotionally empty. Sure, you have seen better films about Ireland ("The Quiet Man," "Cowboys & Angels," countless others), but when the British escape plan hinges on getting the Irish guards really drunk, 'cause ALL Irish are a bunch of swarthy alcoholics, you realize one half-baked idea does not make a good film. This story is 80 proof positive of that.

Stats:
(1998) 106 min. (*) out of five stars
-Directed by Terence Ryan
-Screenplay by Jamie Brown and Terence Bryan, Additional Material by Susan Morrall
-Cast: Gabriel Byrne, Bill Campbell, William McNamara, Jean Butler, Angus Macfayden, Hal Fowler, Tim Hayes, Joe McGann, John Gordon Sinclair, Jerome Pradon, Oliver Tobias, Peter Woodward, Marek Vasut, Niels-Bruno Schmidt
(PG-13)