Writer/director Richard Curtis has cemented himself into the romantic comedy genre with such hits as Four Weddings and a Funeral, Notting Hill and Love Actually, some of the most popular British films of the type of this modern era. But with The Boat That Rocked he has tried something different; although still serviceable as a movie to sit down and enjoy like any other, this is more like the movie equivalent of a fun party than a straight movie.
In the United Kingdom in the 1960s there was only a couple of hours a week of rock and pop music played, much to the dismay of listeners nationwide. However a band of DJs set up ship in the North Sea and broadcast what was known as "pirate radio," which played rock and pop music 24 hours a day to a listenership of half the country's population. The film is an ensemble comedy that celebrates the music of the '60s era, and tells the story of how this group of DJs try to stay on the air as the Government relentlessly try to find a way to shut them down.
Since the '60s rock 'n' roll showcased oh so proudly within the film is played in pretty much every scene in one form or another, it may help if you are a fan of it. If you're musical taste doesn't match up with the likes of The Kinks, The Beach Boys and The Who, then you might not get the intended enjoyment out of it. However, for anyone who would cite this type of music as their "cup of tea," then The Boat That Rocked should be enjoyable. It was for me, for sure.
Although it may only be loosely based on a real-life idea, one which is just laid out flat to expand on by Curtis and everyone else, having it based on that real life story gives it that little extra bit of weight that it otherwise would have had. Curtis populates the story, and the titular boat, with just about the most eclectic group of people you're ever likely to come across. The cast ranges from Bill Nighy (as fun to watch as ever), Philip Seymour Hoffman (showing he's not afraid to relax back into a more comedic role than usual), and Kenneth Branagh (a love-to-hate character who is adamant about shutting the musical ship down), to Nick Frost (the slightly despicable but nonetheless loveable guy), Flight of the Conchord's Rhys Darby (who it's great to see getting the recognition he deserves - he's a highlight of the film here) and Rhys Ifans (charismatic and likeable, as always).
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Article comments
1 - sandra
Just saw the movie, it was excellent. One of the best I've seen in a long time.