Watch The Baker

The Baker is a British comedy film from 2007, directed by Gareth Lewis and starring Damian Lewis, Kate Ashfield, and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau. The story follows the journey of a hitman named Milo (Damian Lewis), who under the witness protection program, hides himself in a remote Welsh village and opens up a bakery. However, he still attracts some trouble with both the local villagers and his former boss, The Duke (Michael Gambon).

The film opens with a scene where Milo, a professional killer, is being hunted down by his ex-partners after he refuses to take a hit that he found immoral. Despite his sharp shooting skills, he gets caught and is provided with a new identity and a new life in the small village of Tal-y-llyn where he starts a bakery. In the village, we encounter eccentric characters like the village postmistress, Rhiannon (Kate Ashfield), who is dealing with a bitter separation and is at odds with her overbearing mother. Milo is also helped by the local bookie, Mostyn (Tony Maudsley), who is trying to get his own back on the Duke, who has been cheating him.

As Milo bakes on, he becomes a part of the village community and starts to develop relationships. Milo and Rhiannon are drawn to each other, but their relationship is impeded by Rhiannon's mother, who suspects Milo of being a criminal. Meanwhile, The Duke's hitman, Eggs (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau), tracks Milo down to the village and attempts to kill him, leading to a series of hilariously disastrous events.

Throughout the film, the director exercises a light and playful tone, with humorous exchanges between the characters and a genuine warmth in relationships. The Baker is not really about the world of hitmen, but more about the possibilities of second chances, redemption, and reinvention. It's a small town story where the protagonist has to conceal his lethal past to carve out a new existence in a non-violent setting. It’s both a fish-out-of-water comedy and a romantic comedy.

The actors are brilliant in their roles, especially Damian Lewis as the quirky, ex-hitman turned baker, who can shoot a bullet through his own baking without breaking a sweat. His interactions with the villagers, as he tries to adapt to their ways, often results in hilarious scenes. Kate Ashfield's performance as Rhiannon, the strong and independent woman, adds a touch of pathos and depth to the story. Nikolaj Coster-Waldau's Egger is a menacing but pitiful character, who is not an overtly evil hit man but someone who's stuck in his ways.

The film uses the Welsh landscape to great effect to juxtapose the thrilling, violent world that Milo comes from with the serene, peaceful village he arrives in. The pace of the film is charmingly laid-back, with the drama unfolding at a leisurely pace. The soundtrack, songs by Welsh artists like Feeder and Stereophonics adds to the feel of the Welsh countryside.

In conclusion, The Baker is an enjoyable, quirky film that offers a glimpse into a community that is struggling to face new realities. It's a light-hearted comedy that manages to strike a delicate balance between laughter and heart-warming moments. It’s a film that combines elements of gangster shootout, romance, and rural comedy, all in one package. Gareth Lewis' direction and the cast's performances make the film both entertaining and endearing. It’s a charming and funny film that ultimately leaves you with a smile on your face.