Brassed Off (15) (This review on FilmJuice.com)
Brassed Off is one of the best British films of the nineties, perhaps second only to Trainspotting in terms of homespun cinematic genius. Set in the fictional South Yorkshire village of Grimley (obviously intended as the real life Grimethorpe, where much of the film was shot, and which at the time was the poorest village in the UK) the film follows a local miners’ brass band as they face financial hardships, and struggle for motivation when it comes to work, family and even the will to live, let alone keeping up their music.
Pete Postlethwaite’s star has hardly shone brighter than it does here. He plays bandleader Danny, whose coal-filled lungs are only one of a number of problems threatening the existence of the band, the primary one being the imminent closure of the village pit, should its workers vote for redundancy over a financial viability review. All the musicians are agreed: should the pit close and they lose their jobs, then they will disband forever. Music is first and foremost in Danny’s heart however, and he spurs the jaded men on to compete in the National Brass Band Championships, eyeing the final at the Royal Albert Hall with anticipated pride.
Director Mark Herman (The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas) expertly guides his audience on a journey of emotional highs and lows, making it impossible not to be cheering the band on as they fight to stay together and compete in the nationals. The political message is mostly of the non-preachy kind, making it easy to sympathise with the trials of these men who face losing their jobs in the pits, with the script being loosely based on recent historical fact.
The weakest subplot is the romance between Andy and Gloria, played by Ewan McGregor and Tara Fitzgerald. Thankfully this thread of the story is not overplayed, and more time is given to the gut wrenchingly emotional subplot that follows Danny’s son, Phil, who is locked in a downward spiral as he loses everything near and dear to him. Even his dignity is left in tatters, as he has to resort to performing as a clown for children’s parties to keep the wolf from the door (barely). Stephen Tompkinson fills the role with such intensity that you can’t but watch his scenes with gritted teeth. Seeing him fume in full costume, red nose, baggy trousers and all is a sight to behold, and almost as painfully funny as it is moving. The script takes this character to dark places indeed, only perhaps going too far during a climactic rampage in a Church.
The drama is woven between montages scored with sublime brass music, all performed by the actual Grimethorpe Brass Band. This lends the film a warmth and gives it great character, but the montages get a little repetitive after the fourth or fifth one.
With hearty music that gets the blood going, irresistible English humour, tiptop performances and a powerful message, Brassed Off is a magnificent film and well worth a revisit.
Blu-ray extras: Theatrical trailer, Interviews, Subplots, Biographies, Photo Library
5 comments:
I love this film! Its been ages since I've seen it though.. need to dig out the VHS
Yeah it's excellent! I felt I rushed the review a bit unfortunately, but hopefully it persuades folk to watch it.
Loved the film, about to look for and buy the CD just to support the band.
Good review but a tiny bit light on your thoughts and heavy on the film plot.
Great, hope you found the CD. Like I said in a previous comment the review was a little rushed unfortunately, but thank you the feedback!
Hi Peter -I watched it last night and would like to proffer the following opinions.
Fitzgerald and McGregor were hopelessly miscast. She was too pretty and intelligent to have had any sort of relationship with Andy who came across as a 'bit simple', as we Northerners say. None of the miners were presented as having any sort of intellectuality and ambition. A 'thicko' stereotype. I have worked in a factory which was jam packed with smart people at shop floor level, and as dim as it gets at admin/managerial level. Other than F & M the cast was stuffed with rather plain 'character actors' - implying that the poor are 'aesthetically challenged' as well as mentally.
All in all - a great script which would have been better if the producers had been a little less preoccupied with reinforcing their own negative stereotypes upon the people whose story they purported to be telling.
Good review though Peter!
David
:)
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