REVIEWED - THE HONEYMOONERS: THE great American sitcom on which this inexpressibly atrocious film was based had its greatest impact on European viewers via its unofficial animated incarnation. The Honeymooners is to The Flintstones as Bilko is to Top Cat. Sadly, both film versions of those beautifully written 1950s series bear the same relationship to their progenitors as carrion bears to live flesh.

Jackie Gleason and Art Carney, who played the two Brooklyn neighbours with such sad hopelessness, have been replaced by the likeable Cedric the Entertainer and the barely visible Mike Epps. There is nothing wrong with remodelling the scenario for African-Americans, but the depressingly inevitable decision to inject hope, fulfilled aspirations and the promise of middle-class security is unforgivable. Allowing Ed and Ralph to achieve their dreams is rather like allowing the title character to turn up at the end of Waiting for Godot.

Incidentally, Dublin stands in for New York in several scenes. Considering the quality of the film, the capital will, presumably, be pleased to hear that it is virtually unrecognisable.