Rating: 
Summary: I loved this movie!
Review: OK, so 5 stars is more than generous, but I was surprised how well this movie was received stateside when it was released. Being English myself, I thought a lot of the comedy and dialogue might not translate well to a mainstream audience, but you can't beat a good old fashioned story. Simple plot - A World famous rock band of the 70's split acrimoniously, and through a chance meeting with the son of a former promoter have the chance to get back together. A veritable A list of UK TV stars are here, and the team of Ian La Frenais & Dick Clement (Lovejoy, Auf Wiedersehn Pet) writing ensure quality. Billed as a riotous comedy is a bit wide of the mark, as there is a great deal of depth to the story, and the characters. At times hilarious, often bittersweet, but always realistic in it's portrayal of life, love, missed opportunities, and a wanting to relive ones past - this is really polished. As someone who can remember the 70's this struck a chord or two with me, and I would doubt it would have as good an impact on a younger audience, but don't let that put anyone off - a real "feel good" picture, cleverly interwoven with a quiet grace, and melencholy air would be the poets description. Plenty of repeat viewability, and Full screen & Wide screen on the same double sided disc make this a bargain. Great fun, Enjoy!
Rating: 
Summary: Fairly entertaining
Review: A fairly entertaining though not groundbreaking comedy-drama about the reunion and retro-tour by British Rock Band Strange Fruit of the Netherlands, 20 years after an acrimonious breakup.
The music is good, and there are some humorous and memorable moments, though the movie is slow to start.
A great cast, and a good flow.
Worth seeing for a quiet evening at home, but I wouldn't recommend buying it.
Rating: 
Summary: A surprisingly good film
Review: We rented this on impulse because it had Billy Connolly. The description reminded us of This Is Spinal Tap (which we love) and we greatly enjoyed the movie. Bill Nighy's clueless Ray was really wonderful and Stephen Rea as keyboardist Tony Costello was enjoyable to watch but the scene-stealer was Timothy Spall's Bilbo Baggot, the drummer. I just about fell off my seat when he finds out that his most vivid memory of touring is when the Fruit played the Hollywood Bowl--only to hear they never played there. And Billy Connolly is always a treat to watch, whatever he does.
Rating:
Summary: great cast in a fun film about a 70s-band reunion
Review: This movie is quite entertaining. It has a great cast and none of the performers are wasted: Stephen Rea is the sweet guy who wants the band to take advantage of a reunion and achieve the success that internal bickering and problems cost them years ago; Billy Connolly is a hoot as the band's pragmatic roadie; Bill Nighy captures dim-witted preening lead singer Ray without making him unsympathetic; Timothy Spall brings laughs as the drummer still living in the past ('If women are from Venus and men are from Mars, drummers are from Pluto'); Jimmy Nail is the guitarist with grudges, regrets and a nice voice; and Juliet Aubrey is engaging as the woman who was a fan/runner and steps in as manager for the group. Though the two younger supporting roles aren't given much to do, that leaves more screen time for the adult characters, each of whom is three-dimensional, sympathetic and interesting. Billy Connolly's voiceovers are well-written and fun, and while not every joke works, there are many one-liners that you will make you laugh the next day.You can see bits of your favorite 70s bands paid tribute, from Pink Floyd to Deep Purple, with insight and affection and the songs, written by veterans of Foreigner and Squeeze, are quite good. The film is very funny for the first half and then takes a few missteps as the drama quotient is elevated, but it finds its way again before the close. All in all, a lot of fun from a fine cast and talented crew, just the ticket for music fans with a sense of humor. DVD features include: English, Spanish or Portuguese sound and English, Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, Korean or Thai subtitles; a short making-of featurette; a trailer; and filmographies for director Gibson and some of the cast members.
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