This is another film that I missed at the cinema, but have had the opportunity to see a few times, courtesy of our satellite dish. Being a bit of a fan of Simon Pegg as you might have recently noticed from my reviews (I don't exactly have the T-shirt, mind), this was a film I wanted to see.

Story

Budding journalist Sidney Young dreams of hitting the big-time with a top magazine. He wants nothing more than the chance to get in with the celebrity crowd and VIP world, but he does have his principles as a good honest writer. However, speaking his mind and rubbing people up the wrong way just seems to bring him nothing but trouble. That is until Clayton Harding, editor at Sharps, offers him a new job at their company base in New York. Sharps is a big magazine firm and Sidney thinks he has finally got his big break, but it is not that easy!

I think this is a story that is really about learning the true meaning of integrity. Sidney regards success as whatever the magazines and showbiz world define it to be and seems to have about the more basic values of family and true friends. He thinks that because he tells the truth as he sees it he must be right. The mishaps and trouble he gets himself into are really quite funny but at times you are also on the edge of your seat, hoping he will not get caught out. Of course there is also a bit of romance involved, as Sidney tries to impress a beautiful film star, Sophie Maes, yet there is someone else we would have rather seen him go for and it is a shame she is taken...

Acting/Characters

As the title suggests, Sidney Young is meant to be one of those people who always says the wrong things at the wrong times and in spite of being deep down a good person is always attracting trouble. Simon Pegg is perfect for such a role because he has just the right facial expressions and mannerisms. He is also quite a lovable type and so you want the best for his character and dread to see him mess up again!

Kirsten Dunst I have never really seen as a very strong actress and I did not find her performance in this film to be anything spectacular. However, the contrast between the serious and slightly insecure traits she shows with the arrogance and outspoken ways of Simon Pegg's character give the film its interesting angle.

Sophie Maes was played brilliantly by Megan Fox and Jeff Bridges is impressive as Clayton Harding. The atmospheres of the Sharps office and the big celebrity events are both tense and filled with an air of elitism. This makes us wonder how the likes of Sidney Young could ever survive.

Film qualities

There is a strong contrast between Sidney Young's world and New York. Physically, Sharps is set out like an ordinary office and really here it is more about people's behaviour than fancy decor or bosses with plush offices and big leather chairs. I think more could have been done to create and intimidating atmosphere, but this might have just served as more of a distraction to the actual plot. The award ceremonies, however, were more convincing.

Although I have seen this film a few times, I cannot really remember the soundtrack very well, although I am sure it was not that bad.

Classification

In the UK the film gets a 15 rating. There are scenes involving drugs, nudity and implied sexual scenes/humour. There is also a fair amount of strong language. I think younger people would enjoy this film as it is quite funny and is not meant to be in any way a negative influence.

Conclusion

A must-see for Simon Pegg fans and a good film for anyone else. I found the film quite funny, although at times less in a laugh-out-loud way as awkward and cringe-worthy. It is also quite a touching film and the acting is not bad overall.

I'm actually not in a hurry to buy this film, since it has been shown a few times on the television recently. However, I might just pick up a copy at some point for the sake of having it in my Simon Pegg DVD collection (when I have one). You might wish to add this to your rental list if the humour appeals, but I would be more hesitant to recommend buying or spending a lot of money to see this film. I would still recommend watching this film on television if you do get the chance.