Before I get to the review of this film, I want to express my dissatisfaction with all three of the local movie theaters in the area, as none of them are even showing the movie that I am reviewing at this time. Thank God for the fact that I was able to score myself a DVD copy of the British Version of the film (Thank you, non-regional DVD player!) for me to review for the masses. That, and I really wanted to see this movie!
So this week, I had the opportunity to see "Pirate Radio" or at least the original title: "The Boat That Rocked". The movie stars Phillip Seymour Hoffman (Almost Famous, Twister, Mission: Impossible III), Bill Nighy (Pirates of the Carribean "Dead Man's Chest and At World's End", Hot Fuzz), Rhys "I'm Wiry" Ifans (Notting Hill, The Replacements, Formula 51) and Nick Frost (Spaced, Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz) and an ensemble cast of wonderful British actors.
Set in the Great Britain of the early 1960's, the movie is about how Rock and Roll was pretty much unacceptable in the society of that time, and how a band of "Rock and Roll Mercenaries" took charge and bent the laws at the time in order to bring Rock and Roll to the masses. Quentin, (Nighy) The Captain of the station, as well as his band of "Pirate" DJ's broadcasted from a Freighter in International Waters, in order to get Rock out there. Each of the DJ's, being over the top personalities, become a cult phenomenon, and raise the ire of the British Government.
Heading up the Government's plot to stop "Radio Rock" and the band of misfits, is Sir Alistair Dormandy (Played deliciously British-Evil by Kenneth Branagh, director of Marvel's "Thor" movie!) who is trying everything within his power to stop all of these Pirate stations, in order to make sure that Rock and Roll is never heard anywhere.
The movie itself has a cute "Coming of Age" tale within it, which is probably the real story of the film, but I found the best parts of the movie is where the film wasn't talking itself too seriously. The film is well-casted and the characters are relatable and likable, and the villains, you detest, and gain a personal level of satisfaction at seeing them get defeated.
Now, from what I hear, the North American release of the film is going to be shortened, which is probably a good idea as the U.K. Version is about 209 minutes in length. A good 10-20 minutes could possibly be shaved off of it, just to keep it more streamlined. That was really my main complaint of the film.
Out of a possible 10 Grilled Cheese Sandwiches, "Pirate Radio" gets a total of 7 1/2, plus a sliced dill pickle for a garnish! The rating is subject to a possible change if I see a shorter cut of the film, perhaps one of the theaters in the area may actually see the light of day and actually bring some interesting "Lesser known" titles to theaters. Who really needs to see "The Box"??? I mean, I have to wait for "Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day" to come on video before I can even review it! (Thanks Empire Theaters and Cineplex Odeon!)
By Forch F. Fortier (Who reminds you, that one of his first dream jobs was to be a DJ on a Rock station. He sort of lived that dream for a bit, but alas it was not meant to be, so he's going to work on his other dream of being a game show host, like his idol, Richard Dawson!)
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