Surprisingly incoherent and boring

Good movie but grossly overrated

Yes, absolutely, there is fun to be had, as well as many, many things to go boom, all amid an atmospheric urban jungle.

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

Assassin Milo (Damian Lewis) is having second thoughts about his latest target when rival Bjorn (Nikolaj Coaster-Waldau) takes the shot. Their organization assigns his termination to Bjorn. Milo escapes into the Welsh countryside to property owned by his mentor Leo (Michael Gambon). He's burying his gun case when he is hit by an exploding sheep head. After cared for by Rhiannon (Kate Ashfield), he is mistaken for a baker taking on the alias Milo Shakespeare. Eggs is a local youth who blew up the sheep and stolen his guns. Soon, rumors of Milo as a hired assassin spread and some people actually have jobs for him.The town folks are dark and wacky but not necessarily funny. They are not that appealing. This is a dark comedy which needs more comedy. Damian Lewis has great dead-pan mannerisms. He's able to inject some quirkiness but he needs a comedic partner. This has potential for something outrageously funny but it never really gets there.

So many things misunderstood in this movie.Even the explosions can't satisfy some."....do we really want to see silly neighbourly disputes and crazy residents...." It's a small village. The plot included nearly everyone wanting someone killed. Neighbourly disputes might be a good reason to want neighbours bumped off."and whats with Bjorn killing other chip shop owners with no police presence whatsoever" He's a professional hit-man. Should he wait for the police to be present? Or does he complete the job and move on without hindrance?

"The Baker", or The "Assassin in Love" as it is called in the U.S., is an awesomely delightful and twisted black dramedy from the UK. No one does these better than they. Most of this movie is shot in the lovely and surprisingly sunny Welsh countryside which keeps the tone light and upbeat. And, this is the paradox - a light/black comedy/drama presented as easily as two happy children skipping down the sidewalk.Italia provides the cadence through the joyful 'que sera' of songs like "Volare" sung by the cast (miss you DeanO), "Jump the Line" crooned by Belefonte, and the "Gopher Mambo". The rhythm and pace of the whole package simply envelopes the watcher.I love Damien Lewis, but the entire cast was a joyous surprise. When all was done, I was reminded (in a tiny, wee twisty sort of way) of the movie "Chocolat". Gareth Lewis, brother of Damien, wrote and directed this sublime piece of pleasure and if you can't enjoy it, you probably don't have a sense of humor. ;^) 10/28/2010

I am often a bit leery of the term "black comedy" because it is sometimes used to describe films that I find strange and unfunny – but that is not the case with Gareth Lewis's wonderful new movie The Baker. This clever film made me smile, laugh, guffaw, and just plain feel good! It also made me wonder about the kind of mind that could conceive such an unusual story. It is about a reformed paid assassin hiding out as a village baker and searching for love and a "normal life" – in a town where the villagers are far from normal! The story is different and funny but never tasteless or absurd. The entire cast are wonderful – especially The Baker played by Damian Lewis who sets just the right note as he convincingly portrays a paid killer, an inept baker, and a sweet, nervous, nice guy who thinks everyone deserves a second chance. I highly recommend The Baker and look forward to future films from Gareth Lewis, an inventive and entertaining writer/director with a wicked sense of humor!