The plot is fairly simple: In 18th century England, a down-on-his-luck apothecary (Robert Carlyle) and minor aristocrat known for drinking his money away (Jonny Lee Miller) team up to rob from the rich as The Gentlemen Highwaymen with the law at their heels. Despite the meager storyline, much sets Plunkett & Macleane apart from the standard Merchant Ivory fare. Most notable is the music.
Like A Knight's Tale, released two years after Plunkett & MacLeane (1999), director Jake Scott forwent the use of period music for more modern pieces. The main score was written by Craig Armstrong and, while mostly orchestral, contains techno music overlaying the ball scene and a cover of Talking Heads "Houses in Motion" for the end titles. (The track "Escape" has become famous in its own right as the soundtrack for many movie trailers.) In addition, the movie also includes songs by The Tiger Lilies, an accordion-driven Squirrel Nut Zippers-esque band. If a viewer can accept the anachronisms, the music works well within the movie.
The worst that can be said of Plunkett & MacLeane is that it has a split tone. On one hand, soaring operatic score. On the other, wheezy Gypsy accordions. In addition to the title leads, Alan Cumming plays a purple-clad cheeky fop, while Ken Scott's character of Mr. Chance is jarringly sociopathic. There is a reoccurring joke about the pox, as well as numerous hangings in Tyburn. The split was even felt in the marketing of the movie The New York Times hosts the "Americanized" version, while a more true-to-form and less work-safe "British" version can be found on YouTube. Overall, the acting is superb as is the visual style. The contrasts keep this film interesting and true. Life, after all, is never only an orchestral score.
Currently, Plunkett & Macleane is available for free viewing on Hulu.com, but only until April 1, 2009. The DVD can be found with some effort, for purchase or rent. The soundtrack is much more widely available.
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