Back in Business

After decades during which America and Russia dominated space, Britain enters the contest with a flashy new space buggy that attracts global interest. Two seasoned grifters, Tom Marks and Lord Will Spencer, spot an opportunity to make a fortune by selling the prototype to the highest bidder. They set up a scheme to auction the vehicle to the top-ranking nation, pulling in crooked deals, double-crosses, and comedic set pieces as rival powers close in. The plan unravels in unexpected ways as loyalties shift and the men try to keep one step ahead without revealing the movie's final twists.

Released in 2007, Back in Business was directed by Chris Munro and created by Neil Gardiner. The cast includes Martin Kemp as Will Spencer, Chris Barrie as Tom Marks, Dennis Waterman as Jarvis, and Brian Blessed as Trevor Pilkington, giving the film a distinctly British ensemble feel.

The movie appears to have had limited theatrical exposure, and there are no widely reported box office totals. Its commercial reach was modest, with few records indicating significant international grosses.

There are no records of major awards or nominations for Back in Business from bodies like the Oscars or BAFTA. The film did not register on mainstream awards circuits, and any festival appearances or smaller recognitions are not prominently documented.

Critical and audience response skewed negative to mixed, reflected in a low average rating of about 4.7 out of 10 from a small number of votes. Reviewers and viewers tended to point to an uneven tone, where action, comedy, and caper elements don't always blend smoothly. The film leans into themes of opportunism and national pride, using the space-race premise as a backdrop for old-school con-man banter and slapstick set pieces. Fans of British caper comedies might appreciate the cast and cheeky premise, while others may find the execution hit-or-miss.