One of these days, dismounting from his high horse, Brian Cox is going to suffer a terrible injury. The Scottish mummer, long resident in New York, cares so deeply about the state of our world that he pins up notices weekly, like a headmaster riled beyond endurance by rotters in the lower fifth.

Cox has every reason to be in a frightful bate. Critics have dismissed Glenrothan, his first film as director, as twee Jockery. Along with Alan Cumming, another Scot who prefers to view the Trossachs from the commanding heights of uptown Manhattan, he has honoured his home with an unintentionally hilarious movie that leaves no eye dry.

This champion grump holds political views so predictable that even the dogs in the streets of Dundee are word perfect

This champion grump holds political views so predictable that even the dogs in the streets of Dundee are word perfect

Facing Laura Kuenssberg last week on her politics show, Cox gave a much more convincing performance in a role he has mastered – ‘the man who answers all questions to his own satisfaction’. On this ground, fair-minded critics will agree, Cox........

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