Rock and roll...and roll...and roll...and roll...! (The Boat That Rocked (DVD))

Member Name: pmcds

Product:	The Boat That Rocked (DVD)
Date:	04/10/09 (41 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Cast, comedy, music

Disadvantages: Nothing really

With an awesome tracklist and a host of comedic stars pacing their way through Richard Curtis' latest offering, I was pretty sure I wasn't going to be disappointed with this film. Its catchy title and promise to just have fun lives up to expectations, as it examines the very real controversy of pirate radio stations in the 1960s.

In the North Sea, Radio Rock has had its place on its fishing boat for long enough to establish itself as the most popular pirate radio station. When the authorities decide enough is enough, steps are taken to try and bring down pirate stations within the confines of the law. However, this proves to be trickier than they imagined, for the DJs aboard the boat are a tenacious lot indeed!

Essentially, this is the main plotline of the film, although it starts off with Young Carl arriving on the boat, sent their by his mum to spend some time with his godfather, Quentin (a fabulous Bill Nighy). Here, he meets the various DJs, a motley crew of interesting characters, taking the stereotype of a celebrity and throwing it to the wind and raking in the glories of women and drugs that tales of the 60s are often about.

The cast donning these characters' mantles are a great gathering of talent. Phillip Seymour Hoffman kind of take the top billing of lead DJ The Count, although the arrival of the coolest DJ ever, Gavin (Rhys Ifans) certainly puts him out a bit. Then a string of Brits lend a hand to the proceedings, including Nick Frost, Chris O'Dowd, Gemma Arterton, Jack Davenport, Tom Wisdom and Ralph Brown. The cast work together brilliantly, and in this respect, it is no surprise to see them together, it being Richard Curtis' project.

It is rather refreshing to see that Hugh Grant has come nowhere near this. It would have been all to easy for Curtis to go to his well used actor for a decent role on here, but by choosing the more cult stars that he has, he has made this more about the music and DJs on a boat lifestyle than about one person in particular. Kenneth Branagh and Davenport do a great job as the authorities trying to shut the station down, and the way the fans and the DJs themselves react to it all is done in a very amusing, yet believable fashion.

The film wasn't as predictable as these things can often be. Nor was it as cheesy or awkward. In fact, it flowed very well, and although it's over 2 hours long, it really didn't feel like it. There are ups and down, disagreements, and other general social occurrences aboard the boat that would happen in daily life (and some that probably wouldn't!) and this helps to break things up and to not let it get monotonous. There's nothing particularly profound or deep and meaningful about the film, but it doesn't need it. There are a few moments of emotion and seriousness, but few and far between, and balanced just right.

The characters are all fabulous, the acting is top notch, and the absolutely fantastic soundtrack, with music from the 50s and 60s, just makes it even better. I was really glad to have seen it, and would probably watch it again at some point. It's full of fun, some laugh out loud moments, and a feel good nature to it. Recommended.

The Boat That Rocked is currently available for over £10 on amazon.co.uk. It's one worth having, but best to wait until the price drops a bit before getting a copy.

Summary: Great comedy from Richard Curtis about pirate radio