Sir Norbert Smith, a Life (1989)

That was an excellent one.

Very interesting film. Was caught on the premise when seeing the trailer but unsure as to what the outcome would be for the showing. As it turns out, it was a very good film.

As somebody who had not heard any of this before, it became a curious phenomenon to sit and watch a film and slowly have the realities begin to click into place.

This is a coming of age storyline that you've seen in one form or another for decades. It takes a truly unique voice to make yet another one worth watching.

The end of the '80's saw Harry Enfield finally an established name thanks to his appearances on 'Saturday Live'. This one off comedy special - 'Norbert Smith - A Life' - was written by Enfield in collaboration with Geoffrey Perkins and was a mockumentary piece following the career of Norbert Smith, a 'luvvie' type film actor who in his twilight years lives in unhappy retirement following the decline of his successful film career.Interviewing the the doddery old ham is Melvyn Bragg whilst playing his wife his Renee Asherton. The British film industry is sent up something rotten, spoofs of films such as 'Cool Hand Luke' and 'Brief Encounter' are seen here, though the best item of all is a film segment entitled 'It's Grim Up North!', set in the run down Nothern areas of Yorkshire ( ''I'll take me bloody belt to you!'' ).Seen alongside Enfield in the film spoofs are Josie Lawrence, Felicity Montagu, Susan Field, Joe McGann, Peter Goodwright and Moray Watson among others.It was not outstanding but it was very funny, apart from a 'Carry On' spoof featuring Barbara Windsor leading a feminist protest outside Greenham Common, and it paved the way for Enfield's weekly comedy series which would soon make his name and fortune - 'Harry Enfield's Television Programme'.'Norbert Smith - A Life' is not one of Enfield's best remembered efforts, which is a pity as it is far more deserving of an accolade than his most recent 'The Windsors'.

"Norbert Smith, A Life" is a 1989 Mockumentary charting the life and career of the fictitious British actor Sir Norbert Smith. It stars Harry Enfield in the title role.It was first transmitted on Channel-4 on 3 November 1989. The programme was written by Harry Enfield and Geoffrey Perkins and superbly directed by Geoff Posner.The show is an absolutely priceless send-up not only of British films over the years, but of the worshipful documentaries that cable and public TV companies crank out endlessly seemingly from a sausage factory.Using Melvyn Bragg as the narrator, doing exactly the kind of thing he was doing at the time on The South Bank Show was an inspiration, and kudos to Lord Bragg for being a good sport to create this Mockumentary, which even sends hims up in a way.The film parodies are all spot-on, but the scene from the World War II action flick with Sir Norbert finding an excuse to guzzle a glass of wine in every single shot, and the identical scenes from each of Sir Norbert's composer Bio-Pics (Beethoven, Man of Music, Lizst, Man of Music and Andrew Lloyd Webber, Man of Music were heavenly inspired.There's a perfect representation of Will Hay films then they go on to cover staid institutions such as Olivier's Shakespeare and even Carry-On films. Enfield is well supported by Renee Asherson playing the long- suffering Lady Norbert. Moray Watson has spots as a recurring interviewee called Sir Donald Stuffy, whose recollections of the theatre seem much more interesting to him than us and he usually realises this himself when he gets to the end of his story. Then there's the crass joke-cracker Dick Doty played by Mike Kelly. Stop me if you've seen this sort of character before.This is a 3/4 hour masterpiece no British film fan, Harry Enfield devotee, Melvyn Bragg supporter or British Comedy aficionado should miss.

NORBERT SMITH, A LIFE is an absolutely priceless send-up not only of British films over the years, but of the worshipful documentaries that cable and public TV companies crank out from time to time. (Using Melvyn Bragg as the narrator, doing exactly the kind of thing he was doing at the time on "The South Bank Show," was an inspiration, and kudos to Lord Bragg for being a good sport.) The film parodies are all spot-on, but the scene from the World War II action flick (with Sir Norbert finding an excuse to guzzle a glass of wine in every single shot), and the identical scenes from each of Sir Norbert's composer biopics (BEETHOVEN, MAN OF MUSIC; LIZST, MAN OF MUSIC; ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER, MAN OF MUSIC) are especially hilarious.And by the way, chalk me up as another member of the I Used to Have This on Videotape But I Lost It Somehow Club. What I wouldn't give to find a copy to replace the one I had!

Norbet Smith, A life is a wonderful fake documentary about a made-up British actor who reminisces about his distinguished career. Harry Enfield and Geoffrey Perkins have written the definitive send up of the British film industry focusing on the premiere films of the last 70 years. The parody starts with a perfect representation of Will Hay films then goes onto make fun of great institutions such as Olivier's Shakespeare's and even Carry on films. This is a masterpiece no British film fan should miss