Still Crazy
1998 Directed by Brian Gibson
Synopsis
They were "Strange Fruit". Some called them the greatest rock band of the '70s. They haven't played together for 20 years. No wonder they're worried about their performance.
In the seventies Strange Fruit were it. They lived the rock lifestyle to the max, groupies, drugs, internal tension and an ex front man dead from an overdose. Even their demise was glamorous; when lightning struck the stage during an outdoor festival. 20 years on and these former rock gods they have now sunk deep into obscurity when the idea of a reunion tour is lodged in the head of Tony, former keyboard player of the Fruits. Tony sets out to find his former bandmates with the help of former manager Karen to see if they can recapture the magic and give themselves a second chance.
Cast
Popular reviews
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Film 50 of The December Project.
I am really light headed and dizzy and this may not make much sense. (Unrelated to the stuff in the first paragraph.)Still Crazy is fantastic, funny and poignant, but mostly funny.
I also found it really fucking painful because someone, two someones, really really looked like somebody and was like them in character and some movements too, and I was not expecting that or prepared for it at all. But that's just me.As far as everything else is concerned, it's a great film about a band that includes stuff like rehearsing and people getting lost and skanky tourbuses and toilet venues and talking about what key songs are in, which you don't…
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What a fabulous find. The story of a rock band who split in 1977 amidst great acrimony who reform in the late 90s; middle aged men (well those who aren't dead) trying to recapture some of their youthful success. It's a story that works on more than one level, showing the effects of drink, drugs and fame on young men, and as a more general story of lost youth. There are some great performances here, Bill Nighy, Bruce Robinson and Jimmy Nail were especially good. One to watch again!
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One of the comedies on Adam's under-rated list this is a terrific British film that centres on the reforming of a seventies rock band and their subsequent attempt at a comeback.
Featuring some British comedy royalty in the shape of Billy Connolly,Bill Nighy and Timothy Spall this has a decent soundtrack and some nice turns from the older gents on show. Funny and original their comeback tour of European shit-holes doesn't go quite to plan. Bill Nighy especially shines here as the ex-alcoholic frontman with inner demons and confidence problems. Entertaining and slightly ridiculous this is definitely worth a watch. -
Daryl’s review:
When Britain makes a movie, it normally does it right.This is a brilliant example.
Sickly sweet, feel good comedy, with guitar solo's.
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Bill Nighy....eccentric rocker....nuff sed !
Recent reviews
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What a fabulous find. The story of a rock band who split in 1977 amidst great acrimony who reform in the late 90s; middle aged men (well those who aren't dead) trying to recapture some of their youthful success. It's a story that works on more than one level, showing the effects of drink, drugs and fame on young men, and as a more general story of lost youth. There are some great performances here, Bill Nighy, Bruce Robinson and Jimmy Nail were especially good. One to watch again!
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One of the comedies on Adam's under-rated list this is a terrific British film that centres on the reforming of a seventies rock band and their subsequent attempt at a comeback.
Featuring some British comedy royalty in the shape of Billy Connolly,Bill Nighy and Timothy Spall this has a decent soundtrack and some nice turns from the older gents on show. Funny and original their comeback tour of European shit-holes doesn't go quite to plan. Bill Nighy especially shines here as the ex-alcoholic frontman with inner demons and confidence problems. Entertaining and slightly ridiculous this is definitely worth a watch. -
Film 50 of The December Project.
I am really light headed and dizzy and this may not make much sense. (Unrelated to the stuff in the first paragraph.)Still Crazy is fantastic, funny and poignant, but mostly funny.
I also found it really fucking painful because someone, two someones, really really looked like somebody and was like them in character and some movements too, and I was not expecting that or prepared for it at all. But that's just me.As far as everything else is concerned, it's a great film about a band that includes stuff like rehearsing and people getting lost and skanky tourbuses and toilet venues and talking about what key songs are in, which you don't…
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Daryl’s review:
When Britain makes a movie, it normally does it right.This is a brilliant example.
Sickly sweet, feel good comedy, with guitar solo's.
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Bill Nighy....eccentric rocker....nuff sed !
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Its no Spinal Tap or Anvil but its entertaining enough.
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If This is Spinal Tap is the best music comedy to have come out of the US, then Still Crazy is Britain's equivalent. Despite the band being made up of well known faces like Timothy Spall and Jimmy Nail, as a band brought of of retirement for one last shot at th limelight they are entirely believable. One of the great strengths of Spinal Tap was that even the most outrageous of comedy moments had a basis in something that had really happened to one act or another, meaning that many a musician could relate to it. This film take a few more liberties, but for the most part adheres to the same principle that would have many cringing in…
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One of my all-time favorites. Bill Nighy is heart-breaking, sweet, and a kick-ass front man. I love Strange Fruit!
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Highly entertaining film about an old school British rock band trying to recapture their mojo.