Pirate Radio (a.k.a. The Boat That Rocked)

Released November 13 2009 (Canada)

Directed (and written) by Richard Curtis

Starring: Bill Nighy, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Tom Sturridge, Rhys Ifans, Rhys Darby, Kenneth Branagh, Jack Davenport, Emma Thompson, Gemma Arterton

Second Viewing April 25 2010

Roger – 4/5 stars

I’m happy to say that right now, I’m going through a “good movie” spell, for the most part. That might be due in part to the discovery of one Mr. Jake Gyllenhaal (who’s pretty good at what he does!), but the point is, I’ve seen some good movies lately.

The recent addition to this is Pirate Radio. I actually saw it in theatres, liked it, and then didn’t write a review. Time passed, and I recently rented it when it came out on DVD, and was inspired to write a review, because you should see this movie.

It’s not perfect, but it’s highly enjoyable. One of the funniest scenes of the past three years is in this movie, and I’ll say nothing more than that it involves the DJs on the boat playing a charades-ish game.

Pirate Radio takes place in the mid 1960’s, the undisputed golden era of Rock and Roll. In Britain, at that time, however, rock music was banned from the airwaves, so a few brave souls tried to broadcast in secret, ushering in the so-called “Golden Age of Pirate Radio.” One such way was to take to a boat, and broadcast the contraband music from off the coast. While Pirate Radio’s boat is not based on a particular story, it certainly could be based on one from the time. Thousands of fans tuned in to hear these pirate stations, and got their fix of rock.

The movie follows our young hero, Carl (Sturridge), who is sent to live on the Boat of Rock where his godfather Quentin (Nighy) resides as manager of the station. He meets the group of DJs, who take him under their wing and encourage him to partake in various rock and roll – on- the- sea- adventures.

It’s a really fun time, this film. The group aboard is loveable and eclectic, and the characters are warm and human. Ensemble casts can be a horrible idea, but on this boat, the group of ramshackle DJs is perfect). There’s a certain feel that this movie achieves, and I dare you to watch it and not yearn to join this crew of DJs. The scenes alternate between ship life and the English government’s efforts (headed by Branagh) to bring the boat and its pirate DJs down.

The ending is a bit silly, but on the whole, the movie is a lot of fun without being stupid. Filmed in England and with a mostly Great Britain cast (with the exception of American Philip Seymour Hoffman, who is absolutely wonderful in his role of “The Count”), this movie has a sense of human reality that Hollywood movies just can’t get. I had a great time spending time on board Pirate Radio, and now so should you.

Not to mention the great music!