Showing as part of French Film Festival

Alexandre Charlot & Franck Magnier/ France / 2009  / 82 min

To quote Robert Burns: “O would some power the giftie gie us to see ourselves as others see us.” In this case it’s Frenchmen Alexandre Charlot and Franck Magnier who are taking a look at us and they would appear to have viewed us through a shortbread tin in order to create this bizarre but enjoyable tartan clad 60s spy comedy.

Imogène (Catherine Frot) is a feisty Scottish redhead living in London and working for the Admiralty. Given the mission to take secret plans back to Scotland she arms herself with fierce national pride, and the family blunderbuss and adventures north.

Of course the plot is irrelevant, the plans simply a McGuffin to allow the film-makers to fire gags and a plethora of Scottish clichés onto the screen: haggis, tartan, whisky, sheep and the poor quality of our rugby are in the mix as well as Russian spies and a rekindled love affair.

Frot is excellent as the spiky argumentative Imogène at war with anyone who tells her she can’t do something and especially bellicose with anything or anyone that represents England or the English. Backed by her absolute belief in her own abilities she cuts a violent swathe through her small village.

Filmed in Edinburgh and Fife (with Edinburgh standing in for London) local audiences can enjoy playing a game of spot the street whilst watching and the Scottish countryside is made to look as beautiful as a travelogue amidst the action.

This is a very silly film and the truth is that how much you enjoy it will depend entirely on your threshold for silliness. The jokes at our expense are never cruel and there’s more to laugh along with than upset anyone. It’s also a short film and moves at a pace that means it’s never in danger of outstaying its welcome.

Watch Imogène McCarthery as a bit of fun or as a curiosity piece either way it’s a unique take on things Caledonian. Accept this film with the pinch of the salt you’d normally save for your porridge and you should have a pretty good time.