Pirate Radio

Pirate Radio

This Art/Foreign Comedy may just turn into the comedy hit of the year. Filmed in London, England, UK, under the name “The Boat That Rocked”; the movie was already released abroad. Universal Pictures changed the movie slightly to bring it to the United States under the name “Pirate Radio“.

Based on the real story, that in 1966 the BBC outlawed Rock N Roll on the air, the movie’s focus is on one of the “Pirate Radio” stations whose broadcast came from a ship off the coast of England, in International waters, to over 25 million listeners.

The cast of characters will charm you through their antics and reminders of the anti-establishment era where sex, drugs, and rock-n-roll ruled. The movie was written and directed by Richard Curtis (Love Actually). The characters include the station’s leader and marketing guru Quentin (Bill Nighy) who finds ways to outsmart the British prudish government minister Sir Alstair Dormandy (Kenneth Branah, Valkyrie 2008) every time. There are 8 DJ’s that we all come to love who have very distinctive and different characteristics including lead American DJ “The Count” (Philip Seymour Hoffman, Doubt 2008); Brit Dave (Nick Frost, Penelope 2008) and infamous Brit DJ star Gavin (Rhys Ifan upcoming Harry Potter film 2010) who returns from America to save “Pirate Radio“. 

“Pirate Radio” realistically depicts the British 1960’s through costume, music, innocent and not so innocent camaraderie, and shenanigans that will provide an hour and 56 minutes of total comic entertainment for all who view the movie.

 THE BLONDE: I loved, loved, loved this sleeper of a film. Not only is it a true story but a lovely friendship saga that takes you back into the musical journey of the 60’s. Funny as can be as well. What is so spectacularly amazing is how far we have come as a civilization with our moral values and how far we still have yet to go. It is astounding that the people of Britain were not allowed to listen to their own music and the lyrics which were so innocent compared to the lyrics of today!

THE BRUNETTE: I agree, it was a revelation to think that after the Beatles and The Rolling Stones the Brits would not be supportive of their own countrymen. What were they thinking?

THE BLONDE:  Maybe they weren’t thinking past their rigid old standards. One thing I know for sure is that I couldn’t run out fast enough to buy the CD from this film. BRUNETTE, you are so totally lucky to be your age because your music is so much better the music of today, my era.

THE BRUNETTE: REALLY, REALLY, YOU ARE REALLY GOING TO GO THERE?

THE BLONDE: WOW, NOW I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT YOU MEAN BY THAT!

THE BRUNETTE: MY DAY…OR DO YOU PERHAPS MEAN, OUR DAY!

THE BLONDE: MY GOODNESS, HOW JEALOUS ARE YOU OF MY YOUTH!

THE BRUNETTE: YOUR YOUTH?!? JEALOUS?!? THE ONLY THING I MIGHT BE JEALOUS OF IS YOUR ABILITY TO SAY SOMETHING LIKE THAT WITH A STRAIGHT FACE!!!! I HAVE PHOTOS OF YOU WITH THE TWIGGY LASHES, GO-GO BOOTS, AND HOT PANTS!

THE BLONDE: WELL, OBVIOUSLY THAT MUST BE ONE OF YOUR PALS YOU HUNG OUT WITH WAY BACK IN THE DAY!

THE BRUNETTE: SEE, THE WAY YOU CAN DO THAT IS BRILLIANT AND I AM JEALOUS OF IT!

THE BLONDE: WHAT EVER DO YOU MEAN?   ANYWAY, THE MUSIC WAS FAB!!! A WORD YOU WILL RECOGNIZE! MAYBE EVEN GROOVY, FAR OUT AND NEATO AS WELL!  TOODLES!

THE BRUNETTE: There you go again! Toodles means goodbye or see you later.  It was from the film, Gidget

THE BLONDE: Again, not my day, would never know that!

THE BRUNETTE: Whatever…

THE BLONDE: As far as the acting goes, they all deserve an Oscar! Kenneth Branah, who is one of my favorite British actors is like a chameleon. He is so amazing how he can play a broad spectrum of roles and even change his looks to adapt with the characters. Bill Nighy, is awesome in all his films and this one is no exception. He is so loveable. Philip Seymour Hoffman as usual, steals the film. He is one of the greatest actors of our day. I do hope he gets that recognition that he is due.

THE BRUNETTE: Nick Frost, who played Big Dave, was so convincing as the Romeo prankster that even though he wasn’t the best looking of the crew, his amazing acting pulled this character off. Rhys Ifan, not only stole our hearts in the film, he also was able to make us angry but we immediately forgive him. That is great acting. I look forward to the other 2 films he has coming out in 2010 which includes Harry Potter.

THE BLONDE: Another point, I need to make is how well defined the characters were. Normally in a cast this big, you only fall in like with a few characters. In this film, you loved, cared about and appreciated them all. This was such a well written script. Kudos to writer/director Richard Curtis. Kudos, also, to the costume designer Joanna Johnston who kept true to the fashions of the day.

THE BRUNETTE: Really, REALLY, now how on earth would such a young lass as yourself, know that?????

THE BLONDE: I’m just sayin!  OH, You mean the psychedelic clothing, bell bottom pants, fedora hats, and go-go boots with mini skirts? I took history costume design is college!

THE BRUNETTE: What is it really like to be you I wonder?????  Moving along in the real world, I agree about the fine script. Curtis used every single line to the scripts advantage. There was so much humor that it just made the film fly by with total enjoyment for the audience judging by the laughter.

THE BLONDE: I really enjoyed the true comradeship between the guys on the ship. It was very believable. It makes me wonder how wonderful a life these guys in reality actually had being on this ship together. I think, they were all true visionaries and hero’s, for bringing the music to the people who so desperately wanted to hear it in spite of all the controversy and legal actions the government tried to place against them.

THE BRUNETTE: I agree! Not only were they heroes, they were clever enough to keep one step ahead of the government allowing them to broadcast for years without interruption. Well done guys!

THE BLONDE: This was a most enjoyable, clever, witting and entertaining movie. I rate it an A+ for those reasons. However, as far as rating the film for the films sake, I rate Pirate Radio a B. Again, thanks Brunette for your generations, music and culture standards. You led the path for us…. ROCK ON EVERYONE!

THE BRUNETTE: Blonde, You really don’t want me to put the pic of you burning your bra here in this review do you? Back to my closing on Pirate Radio… If you want to escape your daily problems, run and see this marvelous film and enjoy a good laugh. I rate it a B+.