PIRATE RADIO 3.0***(almost 3.5***)
In the summer of 1966, the British Invasion was at its peak. There were the Beatles and the Stones and a host of others. Meanwhile, Motown was also at its peak and a whole new heavy-metal sound was developing in the USA. It was a great time for rock and roll. Unfortunately, the government of the UK didn't quite see it that way, and the BBC stations could only play classical and progressive jazz most of the time.
To meet the public demand for pop music in the UK, pirate stations started broadcasting from boats in international waters just outside of British territorial waters. Thus began a battle between the R&R pirates and Her Majesty's government.. This is a movie about that struggle, focusing on one boat called Radio Rock.
The film stars some of the best comic talent in the British Isles, like Rhys Ifans and Bill Nighy. It features Philip Seymour Hoffman as the token American DJ aboard the Radio Rock ship. It even features Kenneth Brannagh and Emma Thompson ( although you’ll have a hard time recognizing her). The sound track is a non-stop celebration of the hits of 1966 and 1967… a must soundtrack buy for R&R fans.
Although it has a few laughs, and although there is a historical backdrop, the story is not wildly funny or historically accurate. It's more of a fantasy film about rock & roll music. The period covered by story corresponds with my last 2 years in law school when I was dating the cute little blond who was to become my wife. These were some of the best years of my life and the sixties rock & roll music reminds of them and many of my old friends. So I gotta admit that I pretty much loved every minute of this movie and I'm not even going to complain that it went a little too long, because the more than 2 hours flew by for me. This is unabashedly one of the best and most joyful love poems to rock & roll since “Almost Famous”. So I'm going to stop typing with my “Lone Typing Finger”‘ and watch it again in my mind. And I'll sing along. And I’ll remember. And I might even dance…the shag, of course, and rejoice.
Okay you Baby Boomers, rise up and “doo-wop” on down to see this movie and have some fun !!!!
Clark