UK comedy picked for Royal gala

Burt Reynolds plays an ageing Hollywood star in the comedy

British movie A Bunch of Amateurs, which co-stars US actor Burt Reynolds, has been chosen as this year's Royal Film Performance.

The gala, to be attended by the Queen, will take place at London's Odeon Leicester Square on 17 November.

The film is a replacement for Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, after its release was delayed until 2009.

Last year's film performance was scrapped after controversy over the chosen movie, Brick Lane.

"Funny and moving"

It was the first time since 1958 that the annual event had been cancelled.

A Bunch of Amateurs, also starring Imelda Staunton, Sir Derek Jacobi and Samantha Bond, is due for release in the UK in December.

Reynolds plays the part of an ageing Hollywood star who comes to Britain to play King Lear in what he believes to be a grand Stratford production.

The film is billed as a "funny and ultimately moving" comedy.

David Murrell, president of the Cinema and Television Benevolent Fund (CTBF) who organise the performance, said: "I have no doubts that every single guest at the Royal Film Performance will greatly enjoy this film."

"We are delighted to be supporting such talented and predominantly British film-makers and cast members," he added.

When the CBTF was forced to shelve the Harry Potter performance in August, its chief executive David Hoare said he was "very disappointed".

All money raised from the gala goes to help film and TV industry families who are facing financial difficulties.

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