Homebodies

Low budget black comedy about six senior citizens who, refusing to vacate their condemned brownstone haven for a gaunt, antiseptic block of flats, begin a murderous guerilla war against their opponents. The subsequent mayhem is depicted with much humour, nicely controlled tension, and - somehow - with dignity. Towards the end, the group's leader (76-year-old Paula Trueman, a saner version of Ruth Gordon) gets carried away into excess, and the film goes off the rails with her. But on balance it's remarkably convincing.