Work Is a Four Letter Word

Dreamlike satire about a young man who resists getting a job at the lone employing conglomerate in his dreary industrial town, but changes his mind when he discovers the plant's boiler room has the perfect climate to assist him with his pet horticultural (fungal) project. Many of the actors in this film also members of the Royal Shakespeare Company. Also stars Beatles' friend and recording artist Cilla Black, but I date myself. If you can find this movie, watch it. It's twisted. Right up there with 'Billy Liar'. David Warner is perfect, a creepy combination of disaffected and keenly focused. Oh, where has this movie gone?

One of the furthest out there of the late 60s counter culture movies, even though this 90 minute cinematic oddity was done by a Shakespeare troupe. We've got many of the classic themes here including work is oppressing and drugs can set you free! Right on.

Valentine Brose doesn't want to work but pressure from his girlfriend (Cilla Black!) and the chance to grow his magic mushrooms in a dark, damp factory environment persuade him to take the job. Many whimsical, surreal adventures follow, usually at the expense of the businessmen and the squares in general. At the end all the squares dose on Valentine's magic mushrooms, sit down for a nice chat and romp around all silly and laughy and childlike. Don't expect a straight narrative, it's as weird as all get out. Yay.