Rent Still Crazy (1998)

A Great British Comedy - Still Crazy review by GI

Hilarious British comedy about the members of a fictitious 1970s rock group who, once famous, broke up acrimoniously and are then persuaded to reform years later. This is really a laugh out loud riot whilst at the same time a melancholic look at what it means to get older and all the emotional issues that come with it. The cast are all on top form with Bill Nighy as the singer who thinks he's still famous, Jimmy Nail as the grumpy band member who only reluctantly agrees to give it another go, Timothy Spall as the crude drummer 'Beano, and Billy Connolly as the band's cynical roadie. As a comedy set in the world of rock 'n' roll this doesn't have the sharp satirical edge of a film like This Is Spinal Tap (1984), it's more of a gentle, heart warming study of a world where age becomes a big problem. There's romance, sadness and really funny moments in this delight of a film. The story follows the band members of 'Strange Fruit' who had a chance of international fame in the 70s but blew it. Years later they are all in dead end jobs but a chance meeting inspires them to get back on the road but old animosities are still rife and their 'genius' songwriter and guitarist is reported to have died years ago. Can they get past the past? It takes some adventures on a European tour to find out. Hilarious, warm and quintessentially British humour from writers Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais. Highly recommended if you've never seen this.