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Summary: entertainment and a colliery band (a real one)
Review: This movie features a colliery (coal mine) band that mustn't be missed. It is unbelievably good. In the days of active mining, many mines had their own brass bands and this real band is probably the best ever assembled from among uneducated men who spend their working lives in the dank, dark passages of a coal mine and practice their music at night.The story centers about the band and the miners who have been laid off because Margaret Thatcher has close hundreds of collieries who could not compete with foreign coal any longer. The government officials pretend that they want the mine left open, but they have already been ordered to close it. The story line is not only correct in what actually happened to mines, but it also contains a budding love affair between Tara Fitzgerald and Ewan McGregor. Like all movies of this type, this one turns out well, but the road to the ending is tense and very entertaining. Well worth while video to have.
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Summary: An absolute gem of a movie!
Review: The heritage of the English coal mines (collieries as they are called) has been a mixed one of industrial production, labor strife and music. Music? Indeed, the existence and competition of employee brass bands formed as a diversionary activity for the miners is overlooked by most people born outside of the English coal mining commmunities. What began as a mild diversion has since provided a rich legacy of music that should not be ignored. But musical legacy notwithstanding, there are other factors at play in this wonderful little movie like the Tory policies of Margaret Thatcher's U.K. and the forced closure of many mines over recent years. The idyllic (although certainly not prosperous) existence of one such group of miners is attacked on two fronts; first by threats to close down the colliery, but the addition of a woman (Tara Fitzgerald) to the all male ensemble is even more unsettling. Her talent as a flugelhornist is as bothersome to the members of the band, as her beauty is to one bandmate in particular (Ewen MacGregor). Ms. Fitzgerald has to be the best kept secret in the British cinema as she combines fantastic ability with an almost sublime beauty. I'd rent a "How to Fix a Flat Tire" movie if it featured Tara's face and lyrical voice. Besides the lovely Ms. Fitzgerald, two other actors stand out. Ewen MacGregor shows more range in this role than both of his Star Wars appearances thus far (he also has a much better script to work with). And Pete Postlethwaite would have received an Academy Award nomination had more people simply seen this movie. Postlethwaite is something of a British William H. Macy; he's always rock solid in his character and talented enough to give uniqueness to each character he plays. Faced with the extinction of their jobs and way of life, the members of the Grimley Colliery Band rally around their leader (Postlethwaite) as they battle economics, black lung and an evolving world. Their quest is to win the nationwide band competition at Prince Albert Hall. Despite a misstep or two along the way, usually aided by an extra pint at the pub, they work their way into the finals. Beyond that, you'll have to watch the movie. But no discussion about Brassed Off would be complete without mentioning the music. You could find sufficient enjoyment from the music alone. The soundtrack, performed by the Grimethorpe Colliery Band will appeal to almost everyone. It's become one of my family's favorite CD's as well.
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Summary: Don't like brass bands/orchestras? Get this anyway!
Review: I got this movie because I love the english humor. Snapper and the like. I didn't expect to like it as much as I do. The story is a good one to boot. It is based in truth and is well worth a look. If you hate brass bands, Get this anyway. If you love that type of music, Get this for sure.
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Summary: Moving, funny, cute and touching all in one.
Review: The main storyline of workers trying to keep their lives and town together in trying times is moving. The characters, all well cast, have their funny moments. The love story is cute and adds a different sort of conflict to the plot (watch it and you'll know what I mean). Ewan's awfully cute in this movie as well! :) The relationships of father to son, husband to wife, friend to friend, and others are all portrayed in a touching manner. I highly recommend it -- one of my all time favorites!
Rating:
Summary: An All Around First-Rate British Film!
Review: The first thing to say about this absolutely splendid 100-minute film is to completely ignore the write-up and cover photo--both of which give the impression that this is some sort of light, half-baked Hollywood-style romantic comedy. In fact, it is anything but! Set in a coal-mining town in the North of England in the early 90s, this is an enlightening and moving British comedy-drama (with the emphasis on drama) centering around the men from the local colliery, whose lives have been turned upside down and forever changed by the decision to close the mine. The men, their lives, and their relationships with one another are revealed through an interest they have in common--the colliery's brass band. Now that the mine is closing, the band is likely to be the next casualty. For one thing, money's tight and the men cannot afford the dues. But there is one man, Danny (played magnificently by Pete Postlethwaite--Sharpe's Odediah), for whom the band is more than just a casual interest--it's his life, his raison d'etre. He simply cannot imagine an existence without the band. This is truly a first-rate film, and as with most British productions, there is not one performance that is anything less than perfect. The film features Tara Fitzgerald (The Woman in White), a newcomer who joins the band, but unbeknownst to the men is working for management at the mine. Though the entire cast is wonderful, it is really Postlethwaite, who gives an Oscar-worthy performance as Danny, the band's leader and conductor, that really makes this film sparkle. And I simply must mention Stephen Tompkinson (Ballykissangel's Father Clifford), who gives an outstanding performance as Phil, Danny's son. The other thing worth mentioning about this film is the music. The words "brass band" tend to conjur up pictures of marching bands. What we have here, however, is in essence the brass section of a symphony orchestra. While there is the odd march performed, by and large the selection of music played are among the most familiar and loveliest of classic pieces--Londonderry Air, Land of Hope and Glory, Rossini's William Tell Overture, and most beautiful of all, Rodrigo's En Aranjuez con tu Amor (what Danny calls the "orange juice concerto"!). As for the performance (by an actual colliery band)--it is simply breathtaking. In conclusion, I highly, highly recommend this well-written and consummately-acted film to anyone looking for quality entertainment. Certainly, if you've enjoyed other films dealing with the plight of miners or factory workers in the North of England of the last two decades--films like Billy Elliot or The Full Monty, for example--this one's a must see.
Rating: 
Summary: Enjoyed it
Review: I enjoyed the characters in this movie. I felt they were portrayed close to reality. I could feel the stress they were feeling over the threat of loosing their jobs. Ewan McGregor's performance was enjoyable; his character wasn't dark. The music was nice too.
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Summary: GCB when you know - humanity wins
Review: This is nothing less than the finest musical / political / tragedy / drama ever! (and that includes Costa Gavras' "Z") Buy four and see what happens when you loan one out! Great performances by every actor, musician and technical staff in the picture -- flawless and with a soundtrack to die for. A fitting response to Maggie Thatcher's policies.
Rating:
Summary: Two thumbs
Review: This movie is one to be seen. It had several concepts going on. The town in danger, the love of music, hardships and romance. Hard to believe they could cram all that into one movie. It was very nice, and I recommend it to all. Ewan McGregor did a fantastic job, as usual:)
Rating:
Summary: Great to watch, great to listen to, wonderful British film
Review: This is a wonderful film. It has a broad appeal, from those who appreciate good music to those who seek out economical and political issues. Sometimes the language is a bit rank, but it is typically British, and typically anti-Tory (Conservative Party) language so does not seem as offensive. It will make you laugh, cry and think. No better way to spend a little leisure time, but that is just my opinion, I could be wrong...
Rating:
Summary: Good music, great actors, right message...
Review: Don't see it for Ewan and Tara, though there's nothing wrong with their performances. This is the kind of movie that most Americans probably would never see without the big names. But, the big names aren't what carry the film. The ensemble, which comprises the Grimley Colliery Band, is filled with very real types of people. You come to appreciate them, and fear for their well-being, as the British government seeks to close their mine. If you love music, you'll like it. If you're an anti-Tory, anti-Republican liberal, you'll like it. If you've ever been mercilessly laid off, you'll be able to relate. Just see the film!
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