THE BOAT THAT ROCKED
Directed by Richard Curtis
Starring Tom Sturridge and Phillip Seymour Hoffman and Many More...
PLOT
A period comedy about an illegal radio station in the North Sea in the 1960's.
WHAT I THOUGHT
I love Richard Curtis films. Everything he does seems great to me. From Blackadder to Vicar of Dibley. From Four Weddings and a Funeral to Love Actually. He is a fantastic writer and with Love Actually proved himself to be a great director too.
So... when I found about this film... I felt a bit disappointed at what's to come.
I love Richard Curtis films mainly because of the romance. He writes romance best, and for his next film to be based around music on a boat... I was quite worried.
I still went to see it though of course! And you know what... it was still great.
The bad news first, I feel this is Richard Curtis's weakest film to date... but thats saying a lot, because this film is still full of great moments that you'll enjoy and laugh at time and time again.
The story was relatively new to me, I hadn't really heard of these "pirate" radio stations in the 60's, though my parents had. This was one of my worries going in, but there's no need to fret. I was never lost. Everything is clearly explained and made deeper from a side plot featuring Kenneth Branagh trying to take the stations down. The story really drew me in and I found myself on my seat by the end of it with the nail biting finale. I don't want to give it away, but it's awesome.
As for the writing and directing - it is still top notch. Every character (and there's a lot of them!) feels very unique and each are funny in their own way. The writing can be quite clever so that you love someone one minute and hate them the next. I have no complaints here really.
Now for the casting... and there is a lot of it! It stars tonnes of British stars and even a big American one - Phillip Seymour Hoffman. Let's start with him. He was great, acting as the cool leader of the pack he nearly stole the show for me. A scene in which he plays chicken with Rhys Ifans character is a particular treat.
The guy that stole the show for me though was Nick Frost. This was his first major film away from Simon Pegg and Edgar Wright, but he is getting better as an actor everytime I see him! One of the things I like about him as an actor is that he knows he is fat and can take the mickey out of himself - which in my eyes is a brave and hilarious thing to do. He has all the most memorable moments, and is by far the best character.
Bill Nighy is good playing his usual character, though he felt a little underused at times.
Chris O'Dowd (The IT Crowd) is also great in his role. The thing I found is that the characters had clearly been influenced by the actors playing them. I saw a lot of themselves in who they played - which is not necessarily a bad thing. All I'm saying is - don't go into this film expecting an acting tour-de-force - as you won't find it here.
The other stand out for me was Rhys Darby (who also plays Norman from Yes Man). He is a relatively new actor, but is quickly making a big impression with me. He has some truly great moments, especially towards the end.
I can't talk about the whole cast - but they are all equally good. Newcomer Tom Sturridge does well as leading man, Rhys Ifans felt a little underused - but there's not much else to go on about.
My only main complaint with the film is that it felt too long. It runs over 2 hours which didn't bother me in Love Actually because there were so many storylines, but because there is only one main narrative in this film - it did seem to drag.
It's also worth noting that the soundtrack is top notch. A great choice of songs from the 60s and 70s all around.
So in conclusion, I do recommend this film. It is a bit long so you might be best waiting to see it on DVD, but make sure you see it none-the-less. It's a great British comedy with an all round great cast and loads of hilarious moments that you'll remember for a long time.
So... when I found about this film... I felt a bit disappointed at what's to come.
I love Richard Curtis films mainly because of the romance. He writes romance best, and for his next film to be based around music on a boat... I was quite worried.
I still went to see it though of course! And you know what... it was still great.
The bad news first, I feel this is Richard Curtis's weakest film to date... but thats saying a lot, because this film is still full of great moments that you'll enjoy and laugh at time and time again.
The story was relatively new to me, I hadn't really heard of these "pirate" radio stations in the 60's, though my parents had. This was one of my worries going in, but there's no need to fret. I was never lost. Everything is clearly explained and made deeper from a side plot featuring Kenneth Branagh trying to take the stations down. The story really drew me in and I found myself on my seat by the end of it with the nail biting finale. I don't want to give it away, but it's awesome.
As for the writing and directing - it is still top notch. Every character (and there's a lot of them!) feels very unique and each are funny in their own way. The writing can be quite clever so that you love someone one minute and hate them the next. I have no complaints here really.
Now for the casting... and there is a lot of it! It stars tonnes of British stars and even a big American one - Phillip Seymour Hoffman. Let's start with him. He was great, acting as the cool leader of the pack he nearly stole the show for me. A scene in which he plays chicken with Rhys Ifans character is a particular treat.
The guy that stole the show for me though was Nick Frost. This was his first major film away from Simon Pegg and Edgar Wright, but he is getting better as an actor everytime I see him! One of the things I like about him as an actor is that he knows he is fat and can take the mickey out of himself - which in my eyes is a brave and hilarious thing to do. He has all the most memorable moments, and is by far the best character.
Bill Nighy is good playing his usual character, though he felt a little underused at times.
Chris O'Dowd (The IT Crowd) is also great in his role. The thing I found is that the characters had clearly been influenced by the actors playing them. I saw a lot of themselves in who they played - which is not necessarily a bad thing. All I'm saying is - don't go into this film expecting an acting tour-de-force - as you won't find it here.
The other stand out for me was Rhys Darby (who also plays Norman from Yes Man). He is a relatively new actor, but is quickly making a big impression with me. He has some truly great moments, especially towards the end.
I can't talk about the whole cast - but they are all equally good. Newcomer Tom Sturridge does well as leading man, Rhys Ifans felt a little underused - but there's not much else to go on about.
My only main complaint with the film is that it felt too long. It runs over 2 hours which didn't bother me in Love Actually because there were so many storylines, but because there is only one main narrative in this film - it did seem to drag.
It's also worth noting that the soundtrack is top notch. A great choice of songs from the 60s and 70s all around.
So in conclusion, I do recommend this film. It is a bit long so you might be best waiting to see it on DVD, but make sure you see it none-the-less. It's a great British comedy with an all round great cast and loads of hilarious moments that you'll remember for a long time.
BEST MOMENT
When they all play the "I Never" game. Especially Nick Frost's poo story. Hahahaha.
MY RATING
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Was not sure about this film when i heard about it as it isn't the classic Romantic film that i expect from Richard Curtis! however, i really enjoyed it, it was fun film with an awesome soundtrack! was slightly long maybe, but i personally didn't get bored! 8/10
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