Jeanskynebu
the audience applauded
Brightlyme
i know i wasted 90 mins of my life.
Breakinger
A Brilliant Conflict
Andy Howlett
Spoiler warning! A superb low-budget fantasy film about a down-at-heel club that just clings on by booking cheap, crummy look-a-like acts. When manager Mickey O' Neill (Dunbar) looks like losing his girl, he decides to impress her by booking the legendary tax-dodger Josef Locke and hopes to save his club into the bargain. What he ends up with is not what he imagined, and the search begins...We've watched this film a couple of times since it was first shown on TV and it gets better with every viewing. The characters are great and the almost magical atmosphere conjured up in some scenes is incredible. *Spoiler alert again* Locke's triumphant performance is the climax, and I admit to getting very touched by 'Count your Blessings', delivered in that wonderful tenor voice (supplied by Vernon Midgeley). What a film!
paulcitr
I saw this film at the Toronto International Film Festival and thought I'd died and gone to heaven. I screeched with laughter, and cried real tears. The audience reception was rapturous, one of the most responsive I've ever witnessed at the festival. Director Peter Chelsom was reduced to tears, and when Ned Beatty made a surprise appearance in his Joseph Locke fedora and cloak the crowd went crazy. Since then, I make a point of watching this wonderful film in the dark days of February, the dreariest part of a Toronto winter. It never fails to restore my spirit. As a final note, I think Chelsom is a very talented director. Who can ever forget the image of those Irish lady owners crammed onto one couch? The film is filled with glorious visuals like this one. I've liked every movie Chelsom has made since, but he seems to get a bum rap from the press. Nonetheless, he will always be remembered for giving us this treasure.
alli_katz
This movie was so much fun. Such imagination went into it. The film tells its story really well. The way in which the imitation Joseph Locke is discovered in the first half of the film forced me to hit stop, and go to the bathroom, because I laughed so hard I almost peed myself. All the major characters are wonderful, and the minor characters are better. When Beatty finally does appear as the real Locke, his star quality takes the entire cast to an even higher level. I can't say more without taking some of the fun away from you. Also, old "Man From Uncle" co-star, David McCallum, is marvelous in his small supporting role. Very amusing film with surprising twists and turns and an incredible amount of whimsy.
movie pimp
I stumbled on to this film by accident, and ended up absolutely loving it. The cast is first-rate in this tale of a music promoter who is trying to find a disgraced tenor from years ago. Ned Beatty is wonderful as the tenor, and the comedy in the film just seems to click - such as the great scene with the cow. This film is highly recommended to anyone who is looking for a hidden little gem to pass on to friends.
