Tony-166

I went to see this film on at the time of it's original theatrical release in the UK. I quite enjoyed it - It was light and fluffy and the story and music was nicely uplifting. And they showed the video that was issued to promote the Moroder/Oakey title song.

Then I saw the reviews. It was being received as one the worst films ever made. Every film critic in the business seemed to jump on the bandwagon shouting "Me too ! Me too! - This film was crap".

Well I have seen a lot of turkeys in my time and this wasn't one of them. I recently watched it again and found that it was cute, and a nice reminder of what the 80's was like for some.

Maybe you have to be a similar age to Tommy Saxondale to really appreciate a lot of the humour. Well, I am and Steve Coogan has created one of the most unique comic creations ever seen on TV.

Look out for the subtle use of tics and mannerisms that make Saxodale such a watchable character. And fantastic support from all.

Rasmus H. is just right as Tommy's assistant, basically playing the same character he portrays in "Lead Balloon". Ruth Jones is dead sexy and Morwenna Banks is a treasure.

This is a multi-dimensional comedy. Always varied and not just playing on the idea of an ageing "hippy" out of place in the modern world. Poor old Tommys' encounters with some squatters was pure comic brilliance.

I love it.

Just a slight correction. This certainly wasn't a comedy :-) I remember it so well because I had to suffer under a number of sadistic masters at the school I then attended. In this play the Carstairs character gradually softens and there is some nice dialogue between the boy in detention and the master. Probably only exists now in the BFI archive. In which case there it will stay, obsessively guarded by some strange people who see their job as keeping the only copies "safe" but without ever letting anyone see it. I utterly despair at the attitude of the BFI.

Ho Hum.