Still Crazy (1998)

STILL CRAZY is a film that I knew precious little about, save some of the cast members. Now having just seen it, I think it's an incredibly fun portrait of an aging rock band reliving their glory days. It follows the basic narrative trajectory that you would expect from this type of film, which is a good and a bad thing. It's good because it works with a tried-and-true formula that is entertaining, but also a little disappointing because it doesn't go out of its way to try anything new or outside-the-box. That being said, it executes the concept very well and benefits from revolving around a fictional band so that it doesn't have to be a slave to formula and history. The characters in the band (including the roadie) created by the principal actors were outstanding, and some of the best work I've seen from these people. They include Bill Nighy as the lead singer, Timothy Spall as the drummer, Stephen Rea as the keyboardist and Billy Connolly (of all people) as the roadie. They (and the other band members whose names I'm not familiar with) were all fully fleshed out and quite funny, perhaps none more so than Timothy Spall who has this great running gag which I won't spoil. They also had great chemistry on screen and made it seem like they had known each other for years. Last, but not least, the music in this film was amazing. All of it was original and I'm pretty sure that it was performed by the cast as well. The only time when the film falters, in my opinion, is the few moments in which it tries to be a little too sentimental. Again, it's par for the course when considering what genre this is, but it didn't completely work for me. Still, the finale was genuinely touching and mostly made up for the previous missteps. Overall, STILL CRAZY does suffer a bit from following the typical plot mechanics, but the performances and music are enough to highly recommend it.

This is a straight-forward movie of a 70's Brit rock band trying to recapture their glory days. Whereas 'Spinal Tap' purported to be a rockumentary, this is just a film about some Has-Beens looking for the Good Old Days.The plot is as above. But the cast are supremely adequate for the story, the story is funny and touching, the soundtrack will moisten any 70's rock lovers; the whole deal will make you laugh.If you enjoyed 'School of Rock' and 'The Ship that Rocked' then you'll no doubt enjoy this. There's no need for any 'deep' analysis, because there isn't anything profound. It's a story, funny, rocking and nostalgic.Enjoy!

O.K. so there are hardly ANY Rock movies out there, that is... when we consider how big a THING Rock is, and how many movies are made every year on this busy little planet. But BOY, what a downer to chance upon such a string of clichés as this. And all the scenes HAVE to wrap up with some 'comic' tidbit. I stared getting worried when I heard the film soundtrack. Not so much the actual songs, no... the 'filling-in stuff'... that typical schmaltzy crap which was dangerous even to a great little film like FISH CALLED WANDA, and which lurks about in 90% of British TV movies and sundry stuff... SPINAL TAP lovers BEWARE! catching the funny/sad side of Rock 'n Roll is no easy task and the TAP bunch really found the recipe and intelligence to tread this tricky line. Mr. Brian Gibson and his (merry?) bunch go straight through all the classic 'bits' but with the subtlety of a Belgian Bar Girl. Hey! Come on! EVERYBODY wants to be teased into FEELING clever! So why does the poor viewer have to cringe time after time? In short. It's a VERY old British TV recipe being served up. Even "On the Buses" was far better . Rockers can be pompous,childish, twittish,farting, dreamers (God only knows I AM ONE) but... let's get a NEW angle on this miserable list of pathetic 'adventures'. Pity... this fruit COULD have been strange... but somehow turned out being boiled.

Bill Nighy playing the lead singer with relationship, financial, and past alcohol / substance issues leads this movie and provides most of it's comic value. This is not his Greatest performance, but adds a lot of depth and range to an actor I first noticed in 'The Girl in the Café.' Where did I get the idea that he could only play stodgy old bureaucrats? I have certainly seen Nighy in some Great Movies, but don't always come away remembering his parts like I will from this one.Juliet Aubrey brings heart to this film, as one who has moved on, but still feels the call of these crazy performers that she loved.I wasn't that crazy about this movie. There will be viewers who will love it more based on credible backstage drama of getting rock star egos together to perform, not just in their Youth, but years later when they carry the baggage and scars of their earlier dreams.I don't know how this film got an 'R' rating? Drugs and Sex are real part of the Rock Band environment, but do not seem to be glorified in this film. Per the plot - these characters paid dearly for the substance abuses of their youth in Death, Separation, and Lost Loves. There's not enough Vulgar Language, Nudity, Drugs or Sexual Situations to deserve more than a PG-13! (Maybe for an 'R' I was disappointed there wasn't MORE!)