Film Review – Schemers (2020)
What an excellent surprise this outlandish true story of a young entrepreneur in 1970’s Dundee, Scotland, turned out to be, an independent production with enthusiastic cast led by virtually unknown Edinburgh talent, Conor Berry as Davie (Dave McLean).
Before the real Dave McLean became manager of unique musical maestros, Placebo; he ran around as a local rock and roll fan hoping to string together a few live gigs basically to impress the Scottish lass contingent and make a few dollars. It worked on both accounts.
Local establishments drew a crowd and news of his success circulated, most notably to small time crooks who took commission from such places as ‘protection’, somewhat similar to those New York gangs in retro action movies that got a percentage to stay open for business.
Davie and his mates understood the arrangement and adhere, or warned personal injuries may occur.
With a glint in his eye, Davie also achieves regular dates with the girl of his admiration, Shona (the tremendous, Tara Lee). They are an odd couple but romance appears natural as the two connect over ambitions. Shona becomes his ally too in tricky situations.
A singer herself and significantly once played a young Sinead O’Connor, effervescent Lee, comes across undeniably astute.
Opening credits may remind you of Trainspotting (1996) and the accents throughout just as strong.
This soundtrack is stacked with cool alternate tunes and although it seems certain wilder aspects to his life may have been cleaned up, the story of Dave McLean is entertaining and funny.
He obviously had career-strive progressing to working with bands such as Nirvana, INXS, Green Day amongst others including Iron Maiden, the band featuring as the basis of a frantic finale here.
First time director McLean, has passion, Schemers, is only the beginning of his music industry memoir with a follow up planned moving beyond his hometown exploits. See this movie, turn it up.
★★★1/2
Comedy, Crime | UK, 2019 | 15 | DVD, Digital HD | Lightbulb Film Distribution | Dir.Dave McLean | Conor Berry, Sean Connor, Grant Robert Keelan, Alastair Thomson Mills, Tara Lee, Paula Masterton
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