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Still Crazy
Fans of This is Spinal Tap might have a head start with 1998's Still Crazy, a raunchy and bittersweet look at an aging rock band that will initially prompt images of the Rob Reiner classic, but this story is told with a much straighter face.
Strange Fruit was a British rock and roll band who ruled in the 1970's but at some point completely self-destructed for a plethora of reasons, including the death of a couple of band members. Twenty years later, Tony, the band's keyboard player, takers it upon himself to reunite the band with Karen, their original manager, and embark on a European tour that defines Murphy's Law.
Screenwriters Dick Clement and Ian Le Fernais, who wrote a similar film seven years earlier called The Commitments, have crafted a story similar to their 1991 surprise smash that takes a similar look at a foreign rock band from the other side of the cinematic spectrum. This film showcases a group where all the members of the group are working regular jobs and have completely given up their rock and roll days and don't really seem to miss them. On the other hand, there isn't a lot of arm twisting involved in getting these guys to board the tour bus again.
Director Brian Gibson (What's Love Got to Do With It) manages to give this somewhat voyeuristic look at a band past their prime, a serious dose of realism as several mini-dramas weave their way across the screen. These guys are past their prime,,,old, overweight, sick, the lead singer Ray even demands Karen find an AA meeting for him as they arrive for their first gig. It's not long before long buried resentments rise to the surface, particularly an ugly feud between Ray and guitarist Les. Oh and Beano, the drummer, is convinced that the government has someone trailing him for back taxes.
The thunderous score includes "All Over the World", "Black Moon", "Live for Today", "Dangerous Things" and the Golden Globe nominee for Best Original Song, "The Flame Still Burns."
The film features some gorgeous European scenery and Peter Boyle's film editing is first rate. Standout performances are provided by Jimmy Nail (who played Migaldi in the film version of Evita) as Les, Juliet Aubrey as Karen, Billy Connolly as the band's stage manager and film's narrator, Timothy Spall as Beano, and especially Bill Nighby as the semi-tragic Ray. An often lovely, often ugly look at a side of the music business that often stings...the backside.
Fans of This is Spinal Tap might have a head start with 1998's Still Crazy, a raunchy and bittersweet look at an aging rock band that will initially prompt images of the Rob Reiner classic, but this story is told with a much straighter face.
Strange Fruit was a British rock and roll band who ruled in the 1970's but at some point completely self-destructed for a plethora of reasons, including the death of a couple of band members. Twenty years later, Tony, the band's keyboard player, takers it upon himself to reunite the band with Karen, their original manager, and embark on a European tour that defines Murphy's Law.
Screenwriters Dick Clement and Ian Le Fernais, who wrote a similar film seven years earlier called The Commitments, have crafted a story similar to their 1991 surprise smash that takes a similar look at a foreign rock band from the other side of the cinematic spectrum. This film showcases a group where all the members of the group are working regular jobs and have completely given up their rock and roll days and don't really seem to miss them. On the other hand, there isn't a lot of arm twisting involved in getting these guys to board the tour bus again.
Director Brian Gibson (What's Love Got to Do With It) manages to give this somewhat voyeuristic look at a band past their prime, a serious dose of realism as several mini-dramas weave their way across the screen. These guys are past their prime,,,old, overweight, sick, the lead singer Ray even demands Karen find an AA meeting for him as they arrive for their first gig. It's not long before long buried resentments rise to the surface, particularly an ugly feud between Ray and guitarist Les. Oh and Beano, the drummer, is convinced that the government has someone trailing him for back taxes.
The thunderous score includes "All Over the World", "Black Moon", "Live for Today", "Dangerous Things" and the Golden Globe nominee for Best Original Song, "The Flame Still Burns."
The film features some gorgeous European scenery and Peter Boyle's film editing is first rate. Standout performances are provided by Jimmy Nail (who played Migaldi in the film version of Evita) as Les, Juliet Aubrey as Karen, Billy Connolly as the band's stage manager and film's narrator, Timothy Spall as Beano, and especially Bill Nighby as the semi-tragic Ray. An often lovely, often ugly look at a side of the music business that often stings...the backside.