Still crazy
Movie | |
---|---|
German title | Still crazy |
Original title | Still crazy |
Country of production | UK |
original language | English |
Publishing year | 1998 |
length | 92 minutes |
Age rating | FSK 12 ( DC ) |
Rod | |
Director | Brian Gibson |
script |
Dick Clement Ian La Frenais |
production | Amanda Marmot |
music |
Clive Langer Alan Winstanley |
camera | Ashley Rowe |
cut | Peter Boyle |
occupation | |
|
Still Crazy is a British musical comedy released in 1998.
action
Strange Fruit was a successful rock band in the 1970s, which ended in an argument after guitarist Brian, the centerpiece of the band, after the drug crash at the Wisbech Rock Festival.
20 years later, each of the band members is now going their own way, keyboardist Tony gets the unique offer to a new edition of the Wisbech Rock Festival - with Strange Fruit . Together with Karen, Brian's great love from the band, Tony sets out on the "hard" way to reactivate the old, quarreling bandmates. At the first meeting, however, Brian is missing, whose death report Karen only reached shortly before the meeting.
The boys decide to revive his music in memory of Brian. The first rehearsals with Roadie Hughie are mediocre, however, as singer Ray cannot replace Brian's part on guitar. So a new guitarist has to be found, who then miraculously shows up. The young Luke seems to have as good a command of the guitar as Brian used to do and so the band is complete again. In the meantime, Karen has knocked on the former record studio that the band is initially sending to Holland.
As in the old days, the band takes the tour bus through Europe. After initial difficulties, the band manages to get used to it and to improve. However, the tour ends again in a dispute that leads to the dissolution.
By chance, Karen discovers that Brian was only faking his death to break bridges with the past. After a visit, Brian, who is now somewhat unstable, can be won over to perform at the Wisbech Rock Festival, which leads to the reconciliation of the band. Shortly before the performance, Brian shies away from the limelight due to the pressure and lets the band perform alone. But this does not come into play, breaks off the first song.
Tony has the courage to play the song The Flame Still Burns , which leads to the grand finale.
Narrative style
A narrative commentary by roadie Hughie, played by Scottish comedy legend Billy Connolly , serves as a connecting element between the plot sections, who introduces the story and speaks the closing words, as well as introducing the individual band members and at some points acts as a narrator from the off :
“Probably God was just sick of those 70s rock and roll excesses. That's why he invented the Sex Pistols! "
“After their tour, the guys went straight to the studio - and Ray let Les sing! Just one song, but on the list of miracles it comes right after the Immaculate Conception! "
“... and with God's help - who knows what the boys are still capable of - or how they'll manage to screw everything up this time. We wait with bated breath! " (Closing words)
He also explains some anecdotes to the band's new entry, Luke, about how the band worked together in the old days - which keeps the audience up to date. As Les sits on the tour bus playing The flame still burns , Hughie explains to Luke what the song is all about:
“The song is sacred to him - he wrote it with Brian back then after Keith died, but he hated the way Ray sang it. Ray would never have tolerated a second lead singer in the band - and the sick shit broke the band afterwards. "
The use of rock 'n' roll clichés or allusions to certain prejudices is also striking . In between, Les forgets in which city you are currently ("This is the piss grotto in Hogeveen. The piss grotto in Groningen won't come until tomorrow.") Or Ray greets the Dutch audience with "Hello, Belgium !" - a joke that has been through many films.
Furthermore, other bands, mostly genre-related, are alluded to. Status quo and others are mentioned above all in the context of the Wisbech Rock Festival - which is consistent with the song All over the world , which Strange Fruit performed on their tour, and which is almost the same name as the Status Quo hit Rockin 'all ...
But also small allusions to more contemporary bands are made: when Strange Fruit arrive on a boat in a Dutch port where concerts are being held (including yours), a poster can be seen on the outer wall of the boat that says for a concert by Oomph ! advertises.
Awards
The film has been nominated several times for its score , including a. the film received 2 Golden Globe nominations.
Film music
The soundtrack for Still Crazy was released on April 26, 1999 by London (Universal) as an audio CD. It includes the following titles:
- 1. The Flame Still Burns (Album Version)
- 2. All Over The World
- 3. What Might Have Been
- 4. Brian's Theme (Acoustic)
- 5. Dirty Town
- 6. Stealin '
- 7. Black moon
- 8. Live For Today
- 9. Bird On A Wire
- 10. Ibiza Theme
- 11. Scream Freedom
- 12. A Woman Like That
- 13. Dangerous Things
- 14. Brian's Theme (Reprise)
Reviews
“Strange Fruit never existed - this band was invented just for the movie. After seeing this film, you don't want to believe that at first. The scriptwriters (Dick Clement & Ian La Frenais) have managed to sketch the history of the band in an absolutely believable way. "
“'Still Crazy' switches back and forth between funny dialogues and groovy hard rock music. While one might initially fear that the film will 'take off' soon, Brian Gibson manages to stage the story in such a way that an arc of tension arises right up to the end. "
“Still Crazy: The acting performances of all actors are convincing, but Bill Nighy and Hans Matheson are particularly positive. Small, more or less good gags are constantly built into the film. Seemingly negligible details become very important some time later. The music, the appearance, the clothing and the demeanor of the band give the film its special atmosphere, which culminates in the song 'The Flame Still Burns'. "
"Still Crazy can join the ranks of successful British feature films such as 'All or Not' and ' Jack, Queen, King, GrAs '!"
Web links
- Still Crazy in the Internet Movie Database (English)
- Still Crazy at Rotten Tomatoes (English)
Individual evidence
- ↑ Still Crazy on cineclub.de