Barney Thomson is a Glasgow barber. A dull man leading a dull little life, and content to do so. He is at the beck and call of his monstrous mother and has no real friends, just a job he enjoys. Until events turn against him and Barney, quite accidentally, becomes a serial killer. How can he dispose of the bodies and keep himself out of the clutches of the police?
Cue Cemolina, the aforementioned mother, to come to her son's rescue. Sort of. Along the way the barber learns things about his past, and his mum, that he'd rather not know. Meanwhile the police are as incompetent at their job as Barney is at being a murderer. Who manages to foul up the least?
Robert Carlyle, in his directorial debut, takes on the title role, and is perfect as the social misfit who was confused enough by life before he found himself an unintended criminal. He has the look of a man who knows he'll be found out eventually, even when he hasn't done anything.
But the real star is Emma Thompson, heavily aged and looking as rough and tough as any Govan wifey, as the mother from hell. She plays this, for her very different, character with obvious glee and great comic timing.
The subplots involving the police are the weakest element of the film, verging too close to caricature at times, and descending into farce towards the end. Ray Winstone is unconvincing as the Londoner on the Glasgow force with the less than plausible backstory. Ashley Jensen doesn't quite nail the laughs, and only Tom Courtney shines for the boys in blue.
Despite these flaws Barney Thomson is great fun and had the audience laughing out loud. Mostly at Thompson who is truly wonderful. Far from perfect, but very, very funny.
Oh, and do hang around to watch the credits rolling. There are few outtakes to finish off with.
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