THE BOAT THAT ROCKED: REVIEW
Welcome
aboard - this is the latest romantic comedy from Richard Curtis, creator of such
British gems as 'Love Actually' and 'Four Weddings and a Funeral'.
This
salty story is one loosely based on fact and a love of 1960's music. Chronicling
the lives and loves of a band of motley disc jockeys playing a selection of pop-rock
tunes that defined a decade, these cool cats are at odds with the law.
Taking
it to the ocean, a pirate radio boat is conceived and Radio Rock on the North
Sea is born. The Godfather and owner of the boat (Bill Nighy) takes his teenage
Godson on the boat for a year with his crew to help him prepare for the reality
of life. Back on dry land, the Federal government led, by a snooty English bureaucrat
played by Kenneth Branagh, is determined to shut down the likes of Radio Rock
and any affiliated pirate radio organisations.
Communication
from the coolest beat style DJ in the land, a mesmerizing American announcer known
only as The Count sends fans, predominately female, into a frenzy. Life on board
the rickety boat certainly is eventful. Groupies galore who are lucky enough to
be 'selected' make up only some of the interesting passengers. The boat itself
becomes a character with the floating party of wild nights evolving into days
never taking itself too seriously.
A father and son subplot
gets forgotten in the rush of comic set pieces and toe-tapping vibes. 'The Boat
That Rocked', literally, is a feel-good film with a truly classic soundtrack and
an eye opening 1960's demeanour. Music from The Kinks and iconic Jimi Hendrix
get a spin on the turntable while new wave Welsh singer Duffy covers music from
the era.
Eventually, the authorities move in but the boys and
girls won't let Radio Rock go down without a fight. The cast is a wonderful ensemble,
the ever reliable chameleon Phillip Seymour Hoffman rules the show as The Count,
scruffy but charming to all. There are many female standouts, for various reasons,
however Gemma Arterton and January Jones send the swinging sixties into all its
glory, wearing some unforgettable costumes from the era.
Set
sail to the cinema, this is one cruise you want to be on.
Shane
A. Bassett
