Cemetery Junction (2010)

An affectionate portrait of working class life. Ordinary people with ordinary stories. The working classes do not get enough attention in film. Some of the characters in this film have their problems but they all have their dignity. The portrayals are not stereotypes and are not overplayed. The characters are warm and funny. We've all met these people.The humour is gentle and touching. Some profanities, but just what is normal in conversation. This is a very English film, acutely observed and nostalgic without looking through rose tinted spectacles. The stultifying tedium of official social gatherings is sublimely displayed.

Ricky Gervais has mainly been known for his work on the brilliant sitcom The Office. He has attempted since to create new shows or dab his hand in film, mainly in the states, but none of these have been as much of a hit as The Office was. Gervais and writing partner Stephen Merchant generally write and direct their own stuff and more often than not cast themselves in one of the roles. In Cemetery Junction however the pair seem to have broken off from their normal devices and created something entirely different. For starters the film is a drama with comedy elements instead of an outright comedy and Gervais limits himself to more of a supporting role. Does it work then, knowing Gervais' usual style? The answer is a definite yes!The film revolves around three friends, Freddie, Bruce, and Snork, who live in a working class area of Reading called Cemetery Junction. Growing up Freddie has always respected his Father (played by Gervais) who works hard to earn a small living at a factory, however when it is Freddie's turn to work at factory he decides he doesn't want to. Instead he takes a job selling insurance, where he earns better money and wears a suit to work, despite his friends and family mocking him for it. As he begins to work he realises he has grown out of the immature activities he and his mates usually get up to, such as criminal damage, fighting, and drinking, all of which generally end up with them in a police cell. Starting to dream of making something of himself, Freddie takes his job seriously and meets an old flame Julie, who he finds is engaged to his boss and daughter of the owner to the company. His new fondness for his job doesn't rub off on his better friends who accuse him of turning into someone who believes he is better than the area he was brought up in. However his attention to detail begins to be noticed by Julie and her Mother. After spending much isolated time with Julie he begins to realise how the men within the firm are highly chauvinistic and his friends are highly immature and will never chase their dreams. Julie inspires him to break free and never let anyone or anything hold him back.The story of the film is a coming-of-age tale and it is highly noticeable within each of the characters. Despite some of the relationships seeming a little rushed, especially Freddie and Julie's, the characters are very well written and all undertake a very satisfying arc by the end. The three leads all face internal struggles where they fail to accept the moments in life that will ultimately make them better people. They use crime as a way to release their anger that builds inside them whilst promising themselves they will leave their downtrodden estate, knowing deep down that they never will. All of their internal conflicts are resolved by the end and each character's story feels complete when they come to the conclusion. The characters really do drive the story as the plot is rather bare and simple but it is the way the characters are written, presented, and acted that make you follow them on their emotional journey. All the actors play their roles very well. In my eyes the two stars were Emily Watson and Tom Hughes who both play their roles as if they were born to do it. Ralph Fiennes and Matthew Goode are also good as two chauvinistic men who believe money is more important than the women in their lives. Christian Cooke, who plays Freddie, also does a decent job but his relationship with Felicity Jones (Julie) failed to have much chemistry. In a stripped back role Gervais is also good but unfortunately Merchant is given a God-awful cameo that quite frankly should have been left out. And for Idiot Abroad lovers there is also a blink and you'll miss him cameo from Karl Pilkington. It is safe to say that Gervais and Merchant have produced a good first attempt at writing and directing a feature film. The directing isn't particularly outstanding but it tells the story, if anything it was the editing that felt a bit out of place especially with some of the jump cuts which were pointlessly used. The writing though was top class and some of the dialogue was laugh out loud funny. The words used were typical of their style of writing and at times very controversial. As the film is set in the 70's the pair have managed to write dialogue which could be classed as placing a statement in today's society but not even blinked at in the era of the film. Lines involving racism, feminism, and class derogatory were the norm back then and some of the issues raised highlight how different the world is today. It is as if Gervais has used some of the issues to spout off his own views. Not that this is an issue and instead it makes for some cringe worthy comedy. Overall I was pleasantly surprised with this film. It does have a few pacing issues towards the end but it was a lot better than I was expecting. It is definitely a feel good movie that comes to a satisfying conclusion for all the major characters. By stripping back their work of sarcasm and in your face humour, Gervais and Merchant have produced a film many would believe they couldn't and I think if they continued with this type of genre they could make something even better.3.5 / 5For more reviews: www.tolli-movieworld.blogspot.com

I was pleasantly surprised by this offering from two of the world's comic geniuses - I can honestly say that I was not expecting such a feel-good, heartwarming film. The acting is fantastic; likewise is the directing and photography! Particularly noteworthy also, is the attention to detail in replicating 1970s England and the amazing soundtrack!Despite this film being quite out of character for Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant in terms of writing style, this is not to say that there is a lack of laughs. In fact, the character 'Snork' provides a good amount of comic relief without being ridiculously crude like some of Gervais' and Merchant's other works.I liken this film somewhat to "Igby Goes Down" or even "Catcher In The Rye", so if you like those works then I can say that you will almost certainly like "Cemetery Junction"!Well done Gervais and Merchant! I loved this film!!

I am a huge fan of the brains of Merchant/Grevais and so that is why I ordered this little Indy-gem from Netflix a few weeks ago and I was delighted. I did not really know what to expect from this film, but I found my self laughing a lot and it turned a rainy Satarday night indoors into a fun time.The story is set around three young lads growing up in the swinging 1970s in England. But, this is not the England that is often portrayed as roaring and influential as one who think, it the 1970's rural town that has one night club, few pubs, and the quintessential factory that ALL young lads usually end up in their whole life.Bruce (played by a amazing Tom Hughes) is without a doubt the soul of this story. He is tough, sexy and a wild boy from start to finish who learns, perhaps the most valuable lesson in life- that sometimes youth does not bring all the answers. His two buddies, Snork (nickname that is instantly referenced too and equally awesome) and Freddie. If Bruce is the soul of the film, then Freddie is the heart and Snork is the constant. Freddie, dreams of being better then his father and ending up in a factory job his whole life- this is the plot throughout the film, but it is almost the back story- the catalyst for all the other minor stories. Freddie, played by Christian Cook reminds me of the Indy-version of Robert Pattinson, with boyish looks, charm and heart that really makes you root for him. I instantly liked him, but for me the best performance is Hughes and I am looking forward to his roles in the future.The minor characters in the film are also authentic and lovely. Ralph Finnes as the go-to-rich business man plays the ass without over doing it. I love him in everything he does and he was just perfect for this film. Emily Watson, as his wife plays such a role that is heart-breaking and he does it with pose and grace that- just wow. Ricky Gervais, as Freddie's father, is also perfect. He has a conversation with his mother-in-law who lives with him and his wife, that I swear I had to grab some tissues to wipe the happy tears from my eyes and then re-watch it again. Felicity Jones is sweet as the young girl with a world full of dreams that stands as the love interest for Freddie. She was likable and over all a breath of fresh air in the film.Cemetery Junction wraps the dreams, naivety, loss, gain, love, hate that comes with being young. The music is excellent and the clothes just add to the flavor of the film. It is as if, I was along for the ride with these boys and it was enjoyable. An amazing heart-filled film, laughable moments that will not soon be forgotten, and time well spent in Cemetery Junction.