HOLLYWOOD actor Gerard Butler has worn himself into a comfortable niche as the burly, unshaven action hero.
In recent years he has played a hitman, a former military commander turned satellite designer, and, now, a commercial pilot.
His latest film – imaginatively titled Plane – sees the Paisley-born actor play his usual role as the gun-toting big man with a heart of gold.
However, Butler’s archetypal Scottish character appears to have a new trait: resentment of the English.
Before Butler’s character, Brodie Torrance, pilots the flight that is destined for misadventure, his co-pilot – Samuel Dele (played by Yoson An) – asks if he studied in England.
Torrance responds: "Hell no. I wouldn't lower myself to that."
Later, when reminiscing about his career as a former RAF pilot, Torrance complains in a peculiarly shaky Scottish accent that “all the sexy assignments went to English folk".
Finally, in a nod to Scottishness so blunt it may very well constitute a headbutt, he asks his daughter (played by Haleigh Hekking) to prepare him "homemade haggis, neeps and tatties" on his return home.
But given the fact that his daughter lives in Hawaii – a place not known for its plentiful supply of the humble neep – one fears that Torrance’s request may go unfulfilled.
Will disparagement of the English become a new cornerstone of Butler’s act? The Jouker will be tuning in to find out.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel