As I said in the newsletter, I didn't know much about this movie from England, and I was very very curious to hear something. Thankfully the request fell upon a pair of perked up ear lobes with fingers attached, and we got the following report... Here ya go, it's coming soon to the U.S.
I just received the first newsletter (thanks) and noticed that you mentioned you hadn't heard much about "Still Crazy." The pic played in L.A. for one week before Christmas (at the same time "Rushmore" did its one week thing) to qualify for the Oscars. It was great.
The movie is about a fake English rock group, "Strange Fruit" (love the name), who were popular in the 70's but are (to quote Spinal Tap) currently residing in the "Where Are They Now" file. The keyboardist (Stephen Rey) decides to try to get the group back together for a reunion tour. The movie follows his attempts to get everyone together and then (minus their lead guitarist) follows their minor tour across Europe. It is about the inter-band politics, including their road manager (a woman who has always been in love with the lead guitarist and has always been lusted after by the keyboardist) and the lead singer's wife (who is trying to convince her husband not to do the reunion). I can't remember any of the other actors' names (except Billy Connolly who is the roadie and is in top form) unfortunately, but they were mostly great.
There will be plenty of comparisons to "Spinal Tap" and in some ways this is richly deserved and I think an indication of the greatness of this movie. But, this movie is also a drama. Although unbelievably funny at times, it does have a couple of serious moments. In a way it could be likened to "Brassed Off" which, to me, was a "serious" "Full Monty." Don't get me wrong, this is certainly not as heavy as "Brassed Off," but it is also not 2 hours of Nigel and David St. Hubens singing "big bottom, big bottom, talk about mud flaps, my girl's got 'em."
Which brings me to perhaps the best part of the movie -- the music. Not only the soundtrack itself -- which as far as the band's songs is all original -- but the scenes where the band is playing together. The feeling that this is a real band, having bad nights and good nights, is so real. Two of the shows (one at a small club and one at a huge festival) in particular were done superbly. And, in the end, it is the music and the way the members of the band play together which really conveys the emotion of the movie -- not necessarily the dialogue. So, if the music (and them palying it) didn't feel genuine, the movie wouldn't work. But, eveything does work. So, do yourself a favor and see it.
-Shiherlis
