The directors of south London’s Pie ‘n’ Mash Films had an inspired way to help a friend overcome a drug addiction — they gave him a role in their latest project, The Blunderers. Mark Chandler reviews the results.

An alcoholic staying in a beach hut with his best friend, a recovering crack addict, may not seem like the ideal scenario for a comedy but director Bill Maloney’s latest does conjure up some genuine moments of black humour. Set in a Herne Bay populated entirely by cockneys, the film — inspired by non-professional actor Steve Hodge’s real-life struggles — is at its best when it follows the pair around as they blunder their way through various acts of petty crime.

Maloney plays alcoholic London geezer George and is often filthily funny.

It is the banter between him and his co-star (Hodge) coupled with a reggae soundtrack, which gives this low-budget film its relentless energy and makes sure it doesn’t outstay its welcome.

But the detours it takes elsewhere are less successful. An opera-singing prostitute and her spliff-smoking client, who also happens to be a policeman, do not really add anything to the plot or enjoyment of the film.

News Shopper: DVD review: The Blunderers (15) ***

And the movie reaches a low point with a bizarre series of scenes set in a mental hospital. A change in tone late on also does not quite ring true.

The film was clearly made on a tight budget, which does show at times, particularly in a later fight scene, but Maloney manages to get past this with a fast pace and a good deal of charm.

Some of the scenes are very well executed too, especially the montages of George and Steve as they tear around the bay.

All in all, any sidetracks are fairly brief and fail to spoil an original and funny work from south London’s Pie ‘n’ Mash Films.

The Blunderers from Pie ‘n’ Mash Films. DVD priced £9.99, available from pienmashfilms.com