Already out for a week or so I'd heard some lovely feedback from a few people here and there & also noticed it screened at the Sydney film festival. I thought to myself, this could be an interesting one son.
The drawing cards for me personally were the fact that it was A. filmed in a fantastic part of the world, northern England (where I just happen to be from) B. Steve Coogan & the fantastic Welsh comedian Rob Brydon were starring together and finally C. It involved Sean Connery & Michael Cain impressions galore!
Originally shot as a 6 part series for the BBC (with all 6 parts in effect making this feature), it didn't bloody disappoint.
From the very beginning of this film these two are looking to outdo each other in the impressions department and they are both brilliant. They both play themselves and when Coogan is offered to write a food column for the UK's Observer, a job picked up largely as an excuse to take his girl on an all expenses paid trip through the northern English countryside, stopping off in a variety of high end hotels and restaurants along the way.
However his girlfriend has commitments in the states & his second or even perhaps third choice happens to be his occasional work partner in crime, Brydon. So the two pack up for six days on the road together, eat good food, and do battle on who can do the best Michael Cain impressions.
I somehow feel I could have been bored to tears by this film, but Winterbottom really manages to create an intimate feel throughout this picture. Coogan the insecure, Hollywood obsessed, womanizer & Brydon the rather less successful, but very happy/content family man! Who never seems to tire of his own impressions.
There are flippin hilarious scenes within this film which have both characters play these comedy 'duals' between each other. Whether it be in the car parading around the countryside or in some rather posh restaurant chastising the colour or appearance of the food. Back & forth they go trying to out do one another and so does the level of my laughter in the cinema (but thank god so does everyone elses, which is a little less embarrassing).
I'll be honest, I've had little or no interest in what Coogan has produced in Hollywood, but here with Winterbottom they really seem to make sweet music (having already worked on Tristram Shandy: A Cock And Bull Story and 24 Hour Party People previously).
I love to see films like this. A simple idea well executed, with a linear story that is wonderfully improvised by our two protagonists. They just seem to start talking about whatever happens to pop into their heads & which makes for some stomach wrenchingly funny moments.
For some reason the one thing that sticks in my head is the Abba renditions they attempt on a couple of occasions. I wonder if I could beat Brydon's attempt at going up 3 octaves?
Lovely work fellas.
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