The Cricklewood Greats

This nice, relaxed comedy is one of those you're glad you watched. It does nothing new, doesn't try to shock, has no swearing, and relies on funny characters doing silly things; I loved it for it's simplicity.

It's a mockumentary very much in the style of Garth Marenghi: Peter Capaldi plays himself, as he investigates the history of the fictional "Cricklewood Studios", the kind of studio that makes those stuffy films you watch on late Sunday afternoons, Ealing Comedies and Hammer Horror films. We see footage from some of the films they made, interviews with some of the people involved in making them, and in one surprising moment, Terry Gilliam rears his head, in a sort of send-up of himself.

Like all good mockumentaries, it draws the line very thin indeed between reality and fiction: like Spinal Tap and Garth Marenghi were only slightly exaggerrated versions of what they were spoofing, so too is this, and I have heard several tales of people who actually went to look up the studios, to no avail. It gets this element spot on indeed, and in fact there are a couple of films on here that actually look a bit appealing (the Fly spoof "the Worm" comes to mind).

Peter Capaldi leads it on with grace and charm, and Alex Macqueen as the tour guide through the various artifacts and props from the time is a joy.

This is a fantastically whimsical spoof that doesn't break any new mould but does make you feel slightly happy. The perfect antidote to these sweary, sexy Hollywood comedies that are getting churned out by the dozen these days. A lovely reminder that there is still intelligence and good nature working in comedy today. It might not make you laugh out loud at every opportunity, but it will make you feel all happy and nostalgic on the inside.

Peter Capaldi is wonderfully po faced in this satirical fake documentary about (the non-existent) Cricklewood film studios. He really convinces as he talks about the history of the place, the productions made there and the people who were involved, from characters parodying the likes of Buster Keaton. Gracie Fields and the now forgotten Andrew Keir.

Capaldi's film buff talks lovingly (with the odd clip thrown in) about the with great satirical wit and is really convincing, with only the odd comment to remind you this is a spoof based on the likes of the old Elstree, Hammer, Walton on Thames or Highbury studios. I thoroughly enjoyed this and would recommend looking around the internet for it to all with a black sense of humour and for fans of British films in general.

'The Cricklewood Greats' will bring back nostalgic memories not just for those who recall the British film industry of the mid-20th century, but also for those who recall Harry Enfield's hilarious 'Norbert Smith: A Life', which took a similar approach (the documentary parody) to the same subject matter. Enfield's effort was arguably funnier, partly because in Peter Capaldi's film, the stories followed seem more arbitrarily assembled (in 'Nobert Smith', a single actor provided a link); but Capaldi is (expectedly) good in mocking the forms of the modern celebrity-led documentary, where everything is presented as that most weary of clichés, the personal journey. Other than this, Capaldi's targets are fairly obvious: I smiled a lot, but Norbert had me in hysterics.

Mockumentaries are now more common but a lot of them are not very good, even when Christopher Guest is involved.

Oscar winner Peter Capaldi gets in the act with a film about Cricklewood Studios which made costume dramas to Ealing style comedies, Horror and then Carry on type films. You get to see clips of the various films they made in an affectionate parody style.

At one point you actually think Cricklewood existed but for the inclusion of one or two current actors who appear in popular dramas.

There are some very funny lines and scenarios, especially the mocking of Gracie Fields.

Capaldi who plays himself in the film very much gets into the act as the fan of Cricklewood and his face visibly lights up when he gets the chance to visit the legendary studios which is now a giant DIY store.