Still Crazy (1998)

Lack of good storyline.

Brilliant and touching

If the ambition is to provide two hours of instantly forgettable, popcorn-munching escapism, it succeeds.

The tone of this movie is interesting -- the stakes are both dramatic and high, but it's balanced with a lot of fun, tongue and cheek dialogue.

In the seventies Strange Fruit were at the top of their game, and they lived the rock lifestyle to the max. Even their demise was glamorous...... 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......Like the fictional band, Still Crazy has since fallen into obscurity almost twenty years after it's release.Certainly the studios felt they had another 'The Full Monty' on their hands, but alas, it was not to be. What you get, is a rather wonderful cast having a whale of a time sending themselves up in what isn't just a funny comedy, it's also a drama referring to nostalgia, lost youth, and finding the person you once were.The band are all at their lowest ebb, when we first meet them, living lies, living in fear, owning an unwanted business, and chasing impossible dreams.The cast are wonderful, and they all have their own character arcs in the narrative. One may say that Bill Nighy is the best thing in the film, but whilst he is equally hilarious and tragic, it's Jimmy Nail who puts in the one performance that stands out.And with a cast that includes, Rea, Spall, Davis, and Zoe Ball, that's one big performance.Connelly is also great, he could be classed as the antagonist to their failings, as he's always vexing the band in someway or another.If this were made today, with the same cast, no doubt it would be huge, but if you do come across this film, check it out, it's quite brilliant.

This is a straight-forward movie of a 70's Brit rock band trying to recapture their glory days. Whereas 'Spinal Tap' purported to be a rockumentary, this is just a film about some Has-Beens looking for the Good Old Days.The plot is as above. But the cast are supremely adequate for the story, the story is funny and touching, the soundtrack will moisten any 70's rock lovers; the whole deal will make you laugh.If you enjoyed 'School of Rock' and 'The Ship that Rocked' then you'll no doubt enjoy this. There's no need for any 'deep' analysis, because there isn't anything profound. It's a story, funny, rocking and nostalgic.Enjoy!

A great movie. Well acted. Good story. And excellent music. Unlike other 'band' movies whose execrable songs let them down by removing all credibility (that old Neil Diamond vehicle 'The Jazz Singer' comes to mind), the songs are well written and believable as hits. It won't appeal to everyone, though. If you didn't grow up in Britain in the seventies you probably won't truly appreciate it. It helps if you were around when 'Strange Fruit's' supposed contemporaries, such as Status Quo, were in their heyday. In other words, it was essentially written by middle-aged Brits for middle-aged Brits. But nothing wrong with that. If you liked this, check out the movies 'That'll Be the Day' and its sequel, 'Stardust'.

Saw this movie on premium TV HBO, showtime, or starz and could not believe it was not a big hit. Soundtrack as all comments I've read was excellent and all round just a damn good flick. I have had a Tivo for about 8 months and have been looking for this movie but it has not been on at all. I guess I'll give it another couple months and then breakdown and buy the DVD. If you are a fan of 60's/70's rock this is a must see and probably a must have. I sang in rock and roll bands as a young man and really got every thing they went and were going thru. I had never seen Bill Nighy (or at least had never noticed him) until I saw this movie. I really started to be a fan after watching a few more of his movies including a little gem called (i think) "the girl in the cafe".