"The Boat That Rocked" (movie review)

I LOVED this movie.

It was like visiting an old, good friend, whose strengths are admirable and fun, and whose foibles are entertaining and forgivable.

1966 - if truth be told, I was only 4 years old at the time, and the only pirate ships I knew of were those inhabited by woodenlegged ruthless types with eyepatches and parrots perched on shoulders - come to think of it, apart from the absence of Johnny Depp, this movie could have been labelled Pirates of the Caribbean IV - Bill Nighy in top form and having a great time as the boss/captain (minus tentacles too, ladies...), and Jack Davenport once again playing the part of a conniving killjoy named Twat (! - yes, this is written by the guy who brought us the inimitable Blackadder Series, Richard Curtis).

The soundtrack is chocker with GREAT 60s music (AND, bizarrely, Who and Cat stuff from the early 70s!! Deliberate anachronism or unintentional or assuming the audience wouldn't notice?? Foible number one!).

The acting is exuberant and unrestrained with everyone buying into the joie de vivre - one of those movies where the cast would probably have signed on to do it for free (Kenneth Brannagh clearly enjoying his turn as the evil government minister Dormandy - no relation to MY Dormandys!) - Phillip Seymour Hoffman the only American in it, and many faces you will recognise from the British "stable".

Highlights for me - the wedding scene (groom wears a gorgeous jacket that I'm hoping someone will copy and make for me - I will pay!), the "chicken" game scene (scary, exciting and hilarious all in one) and the final scene.

Not one for the whole family I would say (sexual mores being what they were at this time, not they've improved much!), but great value for anyone who remembers the 60s in any way or who simply loves seeing funny stuff and hearing great music.

Rock'n'roll!

Gerald.

p.s. not related but Sunday 14th June 3pm will be "War of the Words" here at 26C Carlton St - scrabble, boggle, dictionary and anything else that springs to mind - bring a drink and something to share for nibbles - also maybe a spare game of scrabble or 2. If you plan to come do let me know so I can scheme how best to accommodate us all!

Finish between 5pm and 6pm, and we will NOT use the scrabble dictionary of ridiculous 2- and 3-letter words that nobody uses!