Stella Street

Not anywhere as good as the series. The impressions by Phil Cornwell and John Sessions (plus Ronni Ancona) are still great, and spot-on, but, beyond that, the movie is quite weak. Has some incredibly funny moments, but many flat spots too.

Basically this film suffers the same problem most TV series suffer when being transformed into a movie: it's much tougher having a decent plot for 90 or so minutes than 25 or so minutes.

Like Kev above I'm a fan of the now-defunct TV series which had plot only as a peg on which to hang silly gags and good funny characterisations of famous movie actors and rock stars.

I spent the first 20 mins of the movie worrying that it was'nt like the show, but then its an 80 minute film so it would'nt be! Once I'd got my head round the format it works perfectly well.

All the "stars" are present and correct and the story does allow some nice sequences such as the idea that Jack Nicholson can play cricket :) If you have never seen Stella Street the TV series then you should settle into this quicky and enjoy the performances (though some of the venacular may leave you scratching your head). If you know the show then just prepare for "a period of adjustment".

Mike.

Yeah,but didn't you love the way they have updated some of the characters. David Bowie was spot-on! Caine, Jagger and Richards look better than ever. Dustin Hoffman was the best! looking for a "meager room".

It is mostly old material, updated for a new cinema audience though. A good way for those who don't know about Stella Street to get into it.

Sadly we didn't get to see Dirk Bogarde, who is another character they get just right.

I do agree with the point about Ronni Ancona, her characters are difficult to identify, and poor in comparison to Sessions and Cornwell.

shame on columbia for ignoring this little gem of a film, which proves you do not need big budgets to make a witty and wonderfully entertaining film. better than the TV shows, this is made with style, affection and a lot of talent. even when the voices and looks are not spot on they get the feel and the manner of the stars they so brilliantly mimic. when i see the amount of rubbish that is released in cinemas i find it baffling that something like this goes straight to DVD and the on TV, and in both cases the powers that be decide not to promote it. this is as good as spinal tap was on the music scene quite different i know but still very knowing and spot on. the first time i saw it was with people who had no idea what this was about but still fed about laughing all the way thru, do yourself a big favour buy or rent it today

to be honest i prefer films that either make me think or make me want to watch them again to make sure i didn't miss anything.. but i saw the TV series of stella street and thought it was blatant but good comedy. hell i didn't even know they had made a movie until last week when it was shown on TV...

i made sure i had a few beers by me as i sat and watched this film. I knew what to expect and i was left in stitches laughing my ass off to most of the sketches and scenes. the old house cleaner helping jimmy greeves and then getting wasted on class a, to David bowie pretending he doesn't care that no one likes his singing. this is a decent attempt at a comedy from the British. it beats sex lives of the potato men and the rest easily...

in my opinion only blackball is as good as this... again a brit flick but you cant compare a British movie to a Hollywood blockbuster unless you have the monetary figure behind it to back you up...

i would recommend stella street the movie to anyone who likes British movies, odd comedys, or a dodgy movie to have a laugh with your mates.