When most people think of Pierce Brosnan, they most likely think of such signature roles like that of James Bond, the remake of the "Thomas Crown Affair", or "Remington Steele". But in 1988, between all of that, Pierce starred in a small, low budget film out of Ireland called "Taffin" and while nobody will hail it as Brosnan's finest hour, it is a curiously entertaining film (I've always wondered how Brosnan ended up in this one; after all he was ,by this time, fairly well known from "Steele". Perhaps he just needed something to do or needed the money but since there's not much info on this film, who knows?). In the story, Brosnan plays a rough and tough debt collector named Taffin in a small town where if you owe money, you'd better pay up! Our hero demonstrates this through some simple but well choreographed fight scenes, one involving four or fiver burly chefs in a restaurant. But Taffin is not your stereotypical tough guy; he reads literature and believes in the power of using your mind before your fists. Good thing too, because he's going to need it when some corrupt developers send their goons to town to keep folks from complaining about plans to destroy a favorite park. If I had to guess what makes the movie watchable, it would probably come down to Brosnan's cool under pressure performance which, more than anything, is the driving force of the film. It also helps that Alison Doody of "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade" fame adds some fun-and eye candy-to the mix as the love interest. Don't get me wrong; the film has it issues, such as certain areas where the editing and story don't seem to flow quite right and parts that are supposed to be serious but you just can't help but laugh your ass off (see the part where Taffin screams "Then maybe you shouldn't be living heeeeeeeeeeeeere!". Never fails to bring a smile to my face). But all things considered, "Taffin" is not the worse movie ever made and if you happen to catch it with some drunk friends or on a rainy day, you probably won't regret it.

An Irish debt collector is asked by his local community to help rid the town of developers bent on building a chemical plant on the outskirts of town.

The developers are ruthless and have sent their heavies into town to keep the locals quiet....

Brosnan plays the tough guy with aplomb in this, typical generic thriller from the eighties, which owes a lot to Burt Reynolds 'Malone'.

The only thing missing from this movie is a Leprechaun and Liam Neeson, because it's as Irish as can be. Everyone drinks Guinness, eats stew and knows Patrick Bergin. It's borderline archetypal to the demographic, but it's handled okay.

Brosnan is the thug with a heart, and we know this because he threatens people with a twinkle in his eye, loves his family. and takes great care of his hair.

it's all pretty bland stuff, and the Local Hero meets Rambo vibe doesn't really hold, but it's funny for all the wrong reasons.

The siege with the old man is funny, and for some reason, everybody shouts at one point in the film, and Brosnan wears dark glasses indoors at one point.

It's no wonder that this film has been forgotten about, because in all fairness, it's forgettable.

You have seen it before in The Specialist or in films like On Deadly Ground or The Fire Below. Tough guy goes against the evil corporate empire that is out for profit and the people be damned.

Of course, Steven Seagal or Sly Stallone may be quicker to jump into it that was Pierce Brosnan. He was battling his own personal demons, and just wanted to live a quiet life in the village of his birth; well, as quiet a life that can be lived by a bill collector. You know, make a little money, drink a little whiskey, and once in a while a pretty girl comes along like Alison Doody (Dr. Elsa Schneider in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade).

But, this is Pierce Brosnan and he is infinitely more watchable that the others.