A national affront

Published Date: 10 October 2008 DIRECTED BY: CHARLES MARTIN SMITH STARRING: CHARLIE COX, BILLY BOYD, ROBERT CARLYLE, KATE MARA 'YOU know what Scottish people are? We're ashamed … ashamed to be Scottish." This observation is made early in Stone of Destiny and if it's not an opinion you share, you may well change your mind after experiencing the relentless embarrassment this dated slice of tartan tweeness serves up. Ruining all affection I had for his awkward turn as Terry "The Toad" Fields in American Graffiti, it is the work of Canadian-based American actor-turned-writer/director Charles Martin Smith, whose links to Scotland extend to a supporting role opposite Sean Connery in The Untouchables. Not that a blood link is required for making a good Scottish film (Danny Boyle ain't Scottish). But whatever Smith's motivation for... [read full story]