Brighton

Not all plays do well on the big screen.

It was made 14 years after the modern days setting so even attitudes had changed in that time.

Ok, it's not the best script in the world and Lesley Sharpe's cockney accent is suspect but I suspect many reviewers here don't remember shows like Til Death Do Us Part, Love They Neighbour and Mind Your Language.

This is spreading a similar message.

Times are changing and the safety blanket of the past is being taken away from those brought up in those times.

The film may not have been entirely filmed in Brighton but how many films and shows are actually filmed where they are set?

Most TV shows seem to be filmed in studios in Leeds or Manchester these days.

The film is about changing times and maybe would have been better wet in Eastbourne or god's waiting room as my resident relative there calls it.

For a relatively small place Brighton does receive a lot of film and TV exposure.

As said, the story isn't brilliant but the actors do their characters well.

Perhaps a lot less looking at old impressions and more on the values of the past might have given the main cast greater credit.

Not a film for the woke but a nice bit of nostalgia for those old enough to have experienced the highs and lows in life.

It's far from a 10 but PC brigade giving it a 1 isn't right either.

Could have been much better. A good cast deserved better too.

This is the kind of film that anyone born after 1970 won't understand. Most of a certain age and upwards will understand the pops crackles and aches and pains from old bones, the loss of one's youth thinking you are still young at heart and body, but aren't. The language and racist/sexist language I guess would have a younger generation shocked. The acting is very good by both young and old, the cinematography is very good. There's also small sub plots in the four main characters experience in their younger days at the hands of bullies and personal loss. All in all a good film for those of us getting older and reminiscing of our times as teddy boys and the mayhem.

A day trip to the seaside, with fond memories of Brighton years ago. What could possibly go wrong? Answer...Almost everything, as the main characters try in vain to recapture old memories. Beautifully Directed by Stephen Cookson, who also wrote the story, which goes a full circle for one character and ends unexpectedly happily. I enjoyed this film so much, shown as part of the Cheltenham International Film Festival (2021), that I watched it twice. Superb acting by all four leads: Larry Lamb, Lesley Sharp, Marion Bailey and Phil Davis, plus an excellent supporting cast. Well done cast & crew!

Steven Berkoff's social satire about two couples reliving their youth from the 1950's on Brighton beach was written back in 1994 when the play may have had more resonance with an audience as society began to be more tolerant and understanding as we climbed out of a more racist and bigoted era, especially in the East End of London where these characters are from, however it doesn't ring true in 2019 when this film version was made because some of the derogatory language seems too forced, outdated and caricatured. The film also bludgeons the audience over the head with the points it makes in showing the older generation the error of their ways.

Being in my late 50's myself I can understand where this film is coming from and what Berkoff was trying to achieve in exposing racism in UK society, the older generation refusing to accept immigrants living amongst them and the consequences of living in the past. A younger audience will certainly not empathise with these characters as they hark back to their perceived simpler times and mourning the loss of the British Empire.

While I enjoyed the performances from the four leads Larry Lamb, Phil Davies, Marion Baily and Lesley Sharp this comedy drama is not for all tastes and it comes too late to make any real impact as society has moved on a great deal however the older generation will get it. Shame they didn't make more use of Brighton as a location because this could really be set anywhere.

This film is 'NOT' for the PC brigade. Reminded me of my Grandads generation. A touch of Alf Garnet about the film. There's irony later in the film. Give it a chance, I wasn't disappointed.