#140RVW
Story of Madchester music scene is an entertaining tale. Usual sex, drugs & English pop story made interesting through breaking 4th wall…
What’s more:
Knowledge about, or even appreciation of the Manchester pop scene isn’t required to enjoy this movie. Which is a good thing, since I am at best indifferent to Joy Division, New Order, Happy Mondays, etc.
The main thing that distinguishes this movie from the usual sex, drugs and rock & roll tale is the way it breaks the fourth wall, with Steve Coogan’s protagonist Tony Wilson frequently speaking directly to the audience, fully aware that his story is being told in film form. It’s certainly not the first instance of this approach, but it works really well for the story, fitting the subject matter and making the movie something more than its script.
Without knowing more about the actual events depicted, I can’t comment on how accurate the film is, although it makes no claims to be entirely factual. The story moves along fairly well, although it’s slightly longer than it is fascinating.
The acting is really good. Steve Coogan has really made a career for himself as a pretentious ass. I hope it’s simply typecasting and not his actual personality. He plays it VERY believably.
Lots of British character actors turn up, making for a fun bit of “Oh, hey, thats…”. Tons of cameos by the real players in this tale, including the real Tony Wilson.
Poster:
Trailer:
Bechdel Test:
| Main Cast | Steve Coogan Tony Wilson, Lennie James Alan Erasmus, John Thomson Charles, Paul Popplewell Paul Ryder |
| Rating | R |
| Release Date | Fri 05 Apr 2002 UTC |
| Director | Michael Winterbottom |
| Genres | Biography, Comedy, Drama, Music |
| Plot | In 1976, Tony Wilson sets up Factory Records and brings Manchester’s music to the world. |
| Poster |  |
| Runtime | 117 |
| Tagline | The unbelievably true story of one man, one movement, the music and madness that was Manchester. |
| Writers | Frank Cottrell Boyce (screenplay) |
| Year | 2002 |