Lost in London

Woody Harrelson directs himself playing himself in a comedy originally filmed with a single camera and broadcast live to cinemas in January 2017. Loosely based on real-life events, Harrelson's behind-the-camera debut is inspired by a shambolic night in the capital in 2012 that forced the star to confront his own shortcomings. Using this satire on the emptiness of fame to take aim at his career, Harrelson pitifully sings the Cheers theme tune to bouncers and, in one of the film's highlights, exchanges insults with Owen Wilson. That kind of desperate, petty humour is the real lifeblood of this misadventure, bringing to mind such directors as Woody Allen. The on-the-hoof pace also glosses over certain weaknesses in the story and production values that are forgivable in the context of shooting in real time. Of course, the film loses some of its edge when not watched live, as the threat of disaster is no longer there. However, without the manic energy generated by the broadcast, this one-off comedy would have been nowhere near as effective.