Customer Reviews

Rat [VHS]

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I rented this movie like I've rented many movies - RANDOMLY. I had no idea what to expect. I only knew it had something to do with a Rat (obviously). RAT was a very pleasant surprise (love the accents. especially when the wife says "book" like "buke" haha, maybe I'm just crazy... but so is this movie!!). Hubert Flynn (the rat throughout most of the film) is transformed somehow and goes home to his family. What's weird is the fact that the people in the movie never question that the rat is Hubert. Infact, when we enter into their life, the audience assumes that Huburt the Rat has been there living as a rat for serveral days or even weeks or months! The wife fixes him dinner and talks to him like he's human. They put pillows on his chair at the dinner table so that the rat, um, I mean Hubert, can reach the food. My reasons for liking this movie are simple: It's unique. It's humorous. It's mysterious. You never know what's going to happen next, so it keeps viewers interested! I thought it was very well made and a creative idea for a movie. The ending has a good twist as well. They have an official web site for the movie: rat-themovie dot com. It's a refreshing change compared to all the other movies out today. If you want a few laughs, and want to be in on a "secret" movie that a lot of people probably haven't seen ... 'RAT' is certainly a movie you won't soon forget.

A slyly funny film starring many of the same actors from the beloved Balykissangel television series. Some great camera work and all the makings of a cult film. Some very good extras are included on the DVD disc also. A little known gem.

I didn't know anything about this movie when I saw it in my local library (where I also work as the children's librarian). I've always liked Pete Postlethwaite (is that the way you spell it?)...he's got a craggy charisma I've enjoyed since Alien3 (yes I was one of the four people who loved that movie)

This movie has little other than Pete and puppets in common with Alien3. (The Hensons were part of the production team so you know the puppets in Rat are well done!)

This is a funny Irish fantasy that Roald Dahl might have written. Man turns into a rat & his family get together with a smarmy writer to turn their misfortune into a bestseller...laugh out loud rat chases ensue...there is also a lot of rat (fake rat of course) abuse and outrageousness.

The DVD extras are also quite fun. There's a making of featurette with the whole cast (rats included) laughing up to the camera...and a casting call for rats. WELL worth the price of the DVD. You'll be showing this one to friends who have also never heard of it when you have them over for an evening's movie!

Have fun

This is a calmly hilarious Irish movie about a man, Hubert, who comes home from the pub one night and turns into a rat in front of his angry wife Conchita. The humour in this movie comes mainly from the cool manner in which people react to extraordinary events, and from the contorted, but strangely obvious logic they employ. For example, in one scene they get a doctor to check up on Hubert. The doctor enters the room and remarks that there is a rat wearing a jacket in the bed. He is told that the rat is Hubert, and upon hearing this he slowly nods his head and makes a quiet, understanding remark like "Oh, I see." In any case, Rat is incredibly funny, and the concept of the film is entirely original. In the end, we even get a sense of understanding of why Hubert turned into a rat in the first place, and it makes complete sense. There is absolutely no reason not to watch this movie.

Plodding along in a rut? Having way too many serious thoughts and conversations? Well, curl up and enjoy "Rat"! This is a delightful, silly story, with a super-good soundtrack and terrific actors!! It's one of those rare gems you can enjoy over and over again and smile every time!

If you like paradoies, British Isles humor, and a good story, this movie is for you. It has a story and it is hilarious and it has a wonderful ending with engaging music all the way through. It will stay in my library for anytime I need an uplift. mikiel

Have commented on this before, funny, love the actors as usual
quick arrival

This movie is a classic - so funny! I love this movie and couldn't find it for purchase anywhere. Thanks Amazon!

It was my 3rd viewing. What made it so funny was how seriously it was treated by the actors who were excellent in their parts. So tongue in cheek in one way. Great Irish humour in a Dublin setting.

What I would have wanted to know before I saw the DVD is - who are the actors and what is the thene of the story?

To think that a live rat is the star is hillarious to start with.

Rat (Steve Barron, 2000)

Not at all what I was expecting, I must say. Rat is billed as a family comedy, but I'm not sure that either "family" or "comedy" is an accurate assessment here. It's got humor, certainly, but it's the blackest of humors. And I'd have thought this a decidedly adult comedy, not because there's all that much content that's inappropriate for the kiddies, but because the way it's approached is a bit on the subtle side; I'm not sure the kiddies would find it interesting enough. As an adult black comedy, however, it's worth your time.

Hubert (Pete Postlethwaite) is a typical guy; he's not terribly happy in his marriage, his job is less than fulfilling, and he likes the odd pint at the end of the day. He comes home from the pub one night, just as every other night, goes to bed, and when he wakes up in the morning, he's a rat. Needless to say, his wife Conchita (Imelda Staunton) is less than pleased. The news spreads, and eventually the entire town knows. A family discussion leads to a possible solution, but whose best interest is it in, ultimately?

Wesley Burrowes (Mystics) is known for his black comedies, and Rat is no exception to the rule. Barron (Electric Dreams) usually works in more mainstream comedies, but he was a fine choice to helm this; he gets good performances out of the entire cast, he adapts well to the darker tone of the material, and the finished product is well-paced and watchable. Send the kiddies to bed and watch this one by yourselves. *** ½