The spirit of the early Coen brothers looms large over co-writer/director Jean-Baptiste Andrea's blackly comic second feature. A marked improvement on 2003's Dead End, it quirkily blends film noir aesthetics with the darkest of slapstick. Shaun of the Dead star Simon Pegg shines as sneaky conman Gus, who entices unemployed teacher Charlie (David Schwimmer) into a supposedly foolproof blackmailing scheme after they meet during a stint in an Oregon call centre. Accompanied by Gus's ambitious ex-girlfriend Josie (Starter for Ten's Alice Eve), they set to work, but inevitably find their simple plan spiralling outrageously out of control. Snuff movies, missing bodies and even a local serial killer get thrown into the visually surreal mix, delivering a traditional "crime never pays" message with sledgehammer subtlety and a splash of seat-edge tension. Events become somewhat contrived in the final, frenetic act, although the verbal wit and energetic performances more than compensate.

A frustrated, unemployed teacher joins forces with a scammer and his girlfriend in a blackmailing scheme.