|
|||||||
|
|
|
|||||
|
|
|||||||
|
|
|
|
PIRATE RADIO (THE BOAT THAT ROCKED) |
 |
|
It is true that in the mid 60s, the Rolling Stones, The Beattles, The Who, and several of the top rock
bands came from England. It is also true that it was illegal to play Rock-n-roll music on the radio. Even the conservative Bible bangers in the US couldn't top England - free of
speach and press. "Pirate Radio" is a fictionalized story of how British rockers got their music delivered
in England by rebelious radio boats broadcasting off-shore in the North Sea! |
BEHIND THE SCENES -- I spent a few minutes chatting with director Richard Curtis whose
previously helmed "Love Actually" but was involved with "Notting Hill". Four Weddings and a Funeral", "Bean",
and even "The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency". We were joined by young actor Tom Sturridge. Of course my number one curiosity was working with Academy Award Wining
actor Philip Seymour Hoffman.
It turns out Hoffman was quite the card! "After he patted me on my butt and shooed
me out the door, when the scene was done I realised my butt had been pat by Seymour Hoffman", stated the
young Sturridge (referring to a scene in the movie). According to Curtis there was a great deal of adlibbing during the course of the filming
that just worked. Much of that was initiated by Hoffman. |
|
|
|
|
I make no bones about Philip Seymour Hoffman's fine ability to act. This time
he once again shows he can be part of an ensemble and fit in well. Moreover, unlike starring opposite biggies
like Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts, he works with lesser knowns like Bill Nighy and Tom Sturridge. "Pirate Radio" comically chronicles the war between the radio station and Parliament -
specifically Sir Alistair Dorman (Kenneth Branagh) who will go to any length to shut down the station.
He disdains the genre with a perfect snobbish British tone. | |
|
|
|
| On the boat is a maverick American named The Count (Hoffman) and
several on-air personalities that recall the eclectic cast from WKRP in Cincinnati. They include a mentally
slow DJ nicknamed Thick Kevin (Tom Brooke) who is featured in one of the earliest side splitting scenes
when he participates in a game of wit! The ships only female - a lesbian name Felicity (Katherine
Parkinson) who will find love on the ship. A personality who says very little named Mark (Tom Wisdom)
but gets all the girls. Bob (Ralph Brown) who is discovered by the others though he's been broadcasting for 7 months.
And News Jon (Will Adamsdale) who lives for the news and weather... but mostly the weather. Although fairly easy-going, the radio staff isn't without it's drama.
The captain (Bill Nighy) decides to recall a former DJ named Gavin (outlandishly played by Rhys Ifans) who was the most popular ever. This doesn't set well with The Count as he
is currently the most popular. Thus begins a humorous tup-of-war between the two. |
|
|
|
|
|
In the meantime a young man named Carl (Tom Sturridge) is sent to the ship after
getting expelled from his school for smoking cigarettes and weed. The crew adopts after his mother sends him there to mature knowing full
well that was the worse place to send him... maybe. Nevertheless, the crew embarks on a quest to help him lose is virginity! All the while we are treated to a great sound track featuring all the great music of that era.
The Beattles, The Rolling Stones, Jimmy Hendrix, British Rock, American Rock, R&B... this is the best soundtrack since "The Big Chill". Director Richard Curtis expertly keeps us focused on the story at hand while acurately reminding us of
those go-go 60's. Free love, free sex, pot, and rock-n-roll! "Pirate Radio" rocks. --GEOFFREY BURTON
|
|
