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Going Postal (2010)

I’m certain that as a book, Going Postal worked fabulously. As a made-for-TV movie, I’ll also grant it that it looks splendid and works… until the second half, where the loony developments, over-the-top characters, and illogical actions make it a film that's hard to digest. Or maybe I'm wrong. Something about it makes me want to give it a closer look...

Set in a fantasy world containing werewolves, golems, wizards, and more, Moist von Lipwig (Richard Coyle) is a con artist by trade. After being apprehended by the authorities, he is sentenced to re-establish the capitol’s post office - or die. Moist discovers that the snail mail’s competitor - a system of towers that convey messages using light - isn't going to let this "new" competitor start easy.

The ways Moist finds to make the post office relevant are a lot of fun. He revolutionizes the program through a series of clever inventions. I'd tell you what they are, but that would be spoiling the best parts of the film. With him being forced to work with a crew of bizarre characters, there are many laughs throughout. The weirdest and funniest of which is Mr. Pump, a cool-looking clay man voiced by Nicholas Farrell.

The problems with Going Postal begin in its second half. The more logic you apply to this film, the less it makes sense. This is a classic John Henry story. The post office is antiquated but nonetheless determined to take on modern technology. The system of lights and mirrors is this universe’s equivalent to email or the telephone. That’s where the film's seams unravel. There are a few reasons to choose printed messages instead of the alternatives and “Going Postal” never uses these to sell you on Moist’s plight. Instead, it resorts to making the villain of the film, Reacher Gilt (David Suchet) the dimmest, most transparently evil, and most one-dimensional baddie you could write. That sort of choice can work when the film is self-aware. An obvious resolution that's missed during the conclusion, the kind that could’ve allowed our heroes to triumph in their own way, tells me it's just a blunder, not a deliberate choice.

I could get over the conclusion and logical inconsistencies but they're simply the final nails in the coffin. On top of these, there's the unconvincing romance, the truly idiotic behavior by the villains (many of which create plot holes), the characters that come out of nowhere, the others that disappear from the film midway through with no explanation. I'd forgive them but the film lasts a whopping 3 hrs +. I know it aired in two parts originally but you won’t know that if you buy the DVD. There's no reason for that excessive a running time and that sloppy ending. Apparently, there are no police in this world because when our heroes find conclusive evidence that would get anyone arrested and hung by the neck until dead, they just keep it to themselves.

If you have read Terry Pratchet’s Going Postal this miniseries/movie is for you. You’ll be delighted to see the characters brought to life and enjoy all the little references to Pratchett's other works. If you haven’t, I don’t know how accessible this piece is. Despite this, I’m not going to call it bad. I get the feeling that this is the sort of film that grows on you. (On DVD, November 4, 2016)