Exclusive: BAFTA-nominated Friday Night Dinner director Steve Bendelack is helming a comedy movie about an ageing rock band who reunites.
Bill & Ben Productions and Night Tide Films are combining on Heavenly Waters, which will shoot in Greece later this year.
Heavenly Waters tells the story of a rock band who, after an acrimonious split in the 1970s, agree to come together in Greece to scatter the ashes of their biggest fan, but things don’t go according to plan.
The pic is the writing debut of producer Kim Leggatt and actor David Schaal.
Bendelack is a two-time BAFTA nominee who was nominated in 2012 for Channel 4’s Friday Night Dinner. He has also helmed a wealth of iconic British comedies including Spitting Image, Little Britain, The Royle Family and Mr Bean’s Holiday.
Heavenly Waters reunites Leggatt with producers Ben Timlett and Bill Jones.
Bill & Ben Productions and Night Tide Films are combining on Heavenly Waters, which will shoot in Greece later this year.
Heavenly Waters tells the story of a rock band who, after an acrimonious split in the 1970s, agree to come together in Greece to scatter the ashes of their biggest fan, but things don’t go according to plan.
The pic is the writing debut of producer Kim Leggatt and actor David Schaal.
Bendelack is a two-time BAFTA nominee who was nominated in 2012 for Channel 4’s Friday Night Dinner. He has also helmed a wealth of iconic British comedies including Spitting Image, Little Britain, The Royle Family and Mr Bean’s Holiday.
Heavenly Waters reunites Leggatt with producers Ben Timlett and Bill Jones.
- 3/7/2024
- by Max Goldbart and Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
Kim Cattrall has pulled out of British comedy series The Cockfields due to “unforeseen scheduling issues”. The Sex and The City star, who is fronting Fox’s soapy drama Filthy Rich, had been due to star in the three-part series for UKTV’s Gold channel alongside After Life stars Joe Wilkinson and Diane Morgan.
She has been replaced by Sarah Parish, who recently appeared in ITV drama Bancroft and BBC comedy W1A as well as previous stints on Doctor Who and Atlantis.
The series, which is written by Joe Wilkinson and David Ear, also stars The Royale Family’s Sue Johnston, Chariots of Fire’s Nigel Havers and Not Going Out’s Bobby Ball. It is produced by Yellow Door Productions, the production company set up by former Sky comedy chief Lucy Lumsden.
Wilkinson plays Simon, who is taking girlfriend Donna, played by Morgan back home to the Isle of...
She has been replaced by Sarah Parish, who recently appeared in ITV drama Bancroft and BBC comedy W1A as well as previous stints on Doctor Who and Atlantis.
The series, which is written by Joe Wilkinson and David Ear, also stars The Royale Family’s Sue Johnston, Chariots of Fire’s Nigel Havers and Not Going Out’s Bobby Ball. It is produced by Yellow Door Productions, the production company set up by former Sky comedy chief Lucy Lumsden.
Wilkinson plays Simon, who is taking girlfriend Donna, played by Morgan back home to the Isle of...
- 6/17/2019
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Kim Cattrall is to star in a British comedy series alongside two of the stars of Ricky Gervais’ After Life. The Sex and the City star, who is also fronting Fox’s soapy drama Filthy Rich, is starring in three-part series The Cockfields for UKTV’s Gold channel.
The series stars Joe Wilkinson and Diane Morgan, who both featured in Gervais’ Netflix comedy, and it is written by Wilkinson and David Ear. The Royale Family’s Sue Johnston, Chariots of Fire’s Nigel Havers and Not Going Out’s Bobby Ball.
The Cockfields is produced by Yellow Door Productions, the production company set up by former Sky comedy chief Lucy Lumsden.
Wilkinson plays Simon, who is taking girlfriend Donna, played by Morgan back home to the Isle of Wight for the very first time. There they’ll spend a long weekend as guests of his ever-doting mother Sue, played by Johnston,...
The series stars Joe Wilkinson and Diane Morgan, who both featured in Gervais’ Netflix comedy, and it is written by Wilkinson and David Ear. The Royale Family’s Sue Johnston, Chariots of Fire’s Nigel Havers and Not Going Out’s Bobby Ball.
The Cockfields is produced by Yellow Door Productions, the production company set up by former Sky comedy chief Lucy Lumsden.
Wilkinson plays Simon, who is taking girlfriend Donna, played by Morgan back home to the Isle of Wight for the very first time. There they’ll spend a long weekend as guests of his ever-doting mother Sue, played by Johnston,...
- 6/3/2019
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Premium cable is seldom on its best behavior. To that end, Showtime has picked up the Ill Behaviour TV show, complete with the extraneous U and all, from the BBC. The six-part comedy thriller hails from Fudge Park Productions and is written by Sam Bain and directed by Steve Bendelack. The first season premiered this past summer on BBC Two and will hit Showtime on Monday, November 13, 2017 at 10:30pm Et/Pt. As it examines the ins and outs of friendship, Ill Behaviour centers on Charlie (Tom Riley), who has decided to stop receiving cancer treatments. The Showtime series also stars Chris Geere, Lizzy Caplan, and Jessica Regan. The cast also includes Christina Chong and John Gordon Sinclair. Learn more from this Showtime press release. Read More…...
- 10/6/2017
- by TVSeriesFinale.com
- TVSeriesFinale.com
BBC’s Ill Behaviour is heading to Showtime. The premium cabler has acquired the six-part comedy thriller starring Chris Geere (You’re the Worst), Masters of Sex alum Lizzy Caplan and Tom Riley (DaVinci’s Demons). It’s slated to premiere Monday, November 13 at 10:30 Pm Et/Pt. Written by Sam Bain (Peep Show) and directed by Steve Bendelack (Friday Night Dinner), Ill Behaviour focuses on Joel (Geere) who uses any methods, conventional or otherwise, to save Charlie (Riley)…...
- 10/4/2017
- Deadline TV
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We're Doomed: The Dad's Army Story is touching, humorous and ultimately heartwarming piece of television...
New Dad’s Army casts are like buses: you wait ages for one to come along, and then when two turn up at once they don’t like it up ‘em. While it’s never been far from the public consciousness, the sitcom about the Home Guard of Walmington-on-Sea seems to have experienced a surge in popularity over the last few years, with repeats on BBC Two having become a Saturday night staple - only a few weeks ago, it was the programme with the highest Appreciation Index for the whole of a Saturday which included Strictly, The X Factor, I’m A Celeb and the Doctor Who finale. And with the new Dad’s Army film starring Toby Jones and Bill Nighy set for release in February, it’s the perfect...
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We're Doomed: The Dad's Army Story is touching, humorous and ultimately heartwarming piece of television...
New Dad’s Army casts are like buses: you wait ages for one to come along, and then when two turn up at once they don’t like it up ‘em. While it’s never been far from the public consciousness, the sitcom about the Home Guard of Walmington-on-Sea seems to have experienced a surge in popularity over the last few years, with repeats on BBC Two having become a Saturday night staple - only a few weeks ago, it was the programme with the highest Appreciation Index for the whole of a Saturday which included Strictly, The X Factor, I’m A Celeb and the Doctor Who finale. And with the new Dad’s Army film starring Toby Jones and Bill Nighy set for release in February, it’s the perfect...
- 12/22/2015
- by simonbrew
- Den of Geek
Wesley Mead Dec 22, 2016
Wesley counts down the penultimate 20 entries in the top 100 Christmas TV episodes of all time list: from number 40 to 21...
This article was first published in December 2015. Read entries 100 - 81 here, entries 80 - 61 here, and entries 60 - 41 here.
See related New on Netflix UK: what's added in December 2016? New Us sci-fi, fantasy and horror shows for 2016 15 underappreciated books: sci-fi, fantasy, horror fiction Another Earth: an interview with director Mike Cahill
Since the medium’s infancy, viewers have enjoyed sharing holidays with their favourite television characters. We grow invested in our friends on screen over the years; spending Christmas with them is a rite of passage, a chance for us to share tradition from our world with the fictional ones we see on screen. Some shows embrace the season wholeheartedly, characters in good spirits and enjoying the trappings of the season; others skew a little darker, bringing the more oppressive,...
Wesley counts down the penultimate 20 entries in the top 100 Christmas TV episodes of all time list: from number 40 to 21...
This article was first published in December 2015. Read entries 100 - 81 here, entries 80 - 61 here, and entries 60 - 41 here.
See related New on Netflix UK: what's added in December 2016? New Us sci-fi, fantasy and horror shows for 2016 15 underappreciated books: sci-fi, fantasy, horror fiction Another Earth: an interview with director Mike Cahill
Since the medium’s infancy, viewers have enjoyed sharing holidays with their favourite television characters. We grow invested in our friends on screen over the years; spending Christmas with them is a rite of passage, a chance for us to share tradition from our world with the fictional ones we see on screen. Some shows embrace the season wholeheartedly, characters in good spirits and enjoying the trappings of the season; others skew a little darker, bringing the more oppressive,...
- 12/16/2015
- Den of Geek
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Wesley counts down the penultimate 20 entries in the top 100 Christmas TV episodes of all time list: from number 40 to 21...
Read entries 100 - 81 here, entries 80 - 61 here, and entries 60 - 41 here.
Since the medium’s infancy, viewers have enjoyed sharing holidays with their favourite television characters. We grow invested in our friends on screen over the years; spending Christmas with them is a rite of passage, a chance for us to share tradition from our world with the fictional ones we see on screen. Some shows embrace the season wholeheartedly, characters in good spirits and enjoying the trappings of the season; others skew a little darker, bringing the more oppressive, burdensome side of the holidays to life. Either way, Christmas episodes tend to demonstrate the strengths of our favourite series, and it’s long been a festive ritual of mine to wheel out old DVD sets and settle...
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Wesley counts down the penultimate 20 entries in the top 100 Christmas TV episodes of all time list: from number 40 to 21...
Read entries 100 - 81 here, entries 80 - 61 here, and entries 60 - 41 here.
Since the medium’s infancy, viewers have enjoyed sharing holidays with their favourite television characters. We grow invested in our friends on screen over the years; spending Christmas with them is a rite of passage, a chance for us to share tradition from our world with the fictional ones we see on screen. Some shows embrace the season wholeheartedly, characters in good spirits and enjoying the trappings of the season; others skew a little darker, bringing the more oppressive, burdensome side of the holidays to life. Either way, Christmas episodes tend to demonstrate the strengths of our favourite series, and it’s long been a festive ritual of mine to wheel out old DVD sets and settle...
- 12/16/2015
- by louisamellor
- Den of Geek
Don't panic! Your first look at BBC Two's upcoming Dad's Army origins drama is here.
We're Doomed! The Dad's Army Story tells of the struggles creators Jimmy Perry and David Croft had to endure to get the classic comedy on screen.
The stills show Friday Night Dinner's Paul Ritter and Game of Thrones actor Richard Dormer as Perry and Croft, respectively, and John Sessions as a dead ringer for Arthur Lowe.
EastEnders star Shane Richie will play Bill Pertwee in the one-off film, with the rest of the Dad's Army actors portrayed by Julian Sands (as John Le Mesurier), Mark Heap (as Clive Dunn), Kevin Bishop (as James Beck), Michael Cochrane (as Arnold Ridley) and Ralph Riach (as John Laurie).
Meanwhile, Keith Allen will appear as TV executive Paul Fox and Sally Phillips will play Croft's wife Ann.
The drama has been written by Stephen Russell (Shameless) and...
We're Doomed! The Dad's Army Story tells of the struggles creators Jimmy Perry and David Croft had to endure to get the classic comedy on screen.
The stills show Friday Night Dinner's Paul Ritter and Game of Thrones actor Richard Dormer as Perry and Croft, respectively, and John Sessions as a dead ringer for Arthur Lowe.
EastEnders star Shane Richie will play Bill Pertwee in the one-off film, with the rest of the Dad's Army actors portrayed by Julian Sands (as John Le Mesurier), Mark Heap (as Clive Dunn), Kevin Bishop (as James Beck), Michael Cochrane (as Arnold Ridley) and Ralph Riach (as John Laurie).
Meanwhile, Keith Allen will appear as TV executive Paul Fox and Sally Phillips will play Croft's wife Ann.
The drama has been written by Stephen Russell (Shameless) and...
- 10/27/2015
- Digital Spy
There's already a Dad's Army movie remake on the horizon, and now there's going to be a drama based around its origins.
EastEnders star Shane Richie will play Bill Pertwee in BBC Two's Making Dad's Army, a one-off film about the classic and beloved British sitcom.
The drama will focus on the show's original idea in 1967 up until its first broadcast in 1968, and the struggles creators Jimmy Perry and David Croft had to endure to get it on screen.
Friday Night Dinner's Paul Ritter will play Perry, while Game of Thrones actor Richard Dormer will portray Croft.
The rest of the Dad's Army actors will be played by John Sessions (as Arthur Lowe), Julian Sands (as John Le Mesurier), Mark Heap (as Clive Dunn), Kevin Bishop (as James Beck), Michael Cochrane (as Arnold Ridley) and Ralph Riach (as John Laurie).
Meanwhile, Keith Allen will play TV executive Paul Fox,...
EastEnders star Shane Richie will play Bill Pertwee in BBC Two's Making Dad's Army, a one-off film about the classic and beloved British sitcom.
The drama will focus on the show's original idea in 1967 up until its first broadcast in 1968, and the struggles creators Jimmy Perry and David Croft had to endure to get it on screen.
Friday Night Dinner's Paul Ritter will play Perry, while Game of Thrones actor Richard Dormer will portray Croft.
The rest of the Dad's Army actors will be played by John Sessions (as Arthur Lowe), Julian Sands (as John Le Mesurier), Mark Heap (as Clive Dunn), Kevin Bishop (as James Beck), Michael Cochrane (as Arnold Ridley) and Ralph Riach (as John Laurie).
Meanwhile, Keith Allen will play TV executive Paul Fox,...
- 8/28/2015
- Digital Spy
American Hustle | Anchorman 2 | The Harry Hill Movie | Walking With Dinosaurs: The 3D Movie | Moshi Monsters: The Movie | The Secret Life Of Walter Mitty | All Is Lost
American Hustle (15)
(David O Russell, 2013, Us) Christian Bale, Bradley Cooper, Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner, Jennifer Lawrence. 138 mins
Big, brassy and outrageously coiffured, this crazed 70s crime epic leads you into a maze, then keeps you wondering if it knows the way out. Things starts out small, with Bale and Adams's petty con duo turned by Cooper's ambitious Fed, but stakes escalate, allegiances complicate, and deceptions multiply deliriously, carried along by lovably flawed characters and a manic energy.
Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues (15)
(Adam McKay, 2013, Us) Will Ferrell, Steve Carell, Paul Rudd. 119 mins
The hype is over, as Ferrell reunites his news team and drags them into New York, the 80s and the 24-hour era. But this sequel's absurdity, cameo-fuelled mayhem and mild...
American Hustle (15)
(David O Russell, 2013, Us) Christian Bale, Bradley Cooper, Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner, Jennifer Lawrence. 138 mins
Big, brassy and outrageously coiffured, this crazed 70s crime epic leads you into a maze, then keeps you wondering if it knows the way out. Things starts out small, with Bale and Adams's petty con duo turned by Cooper's ambitious Fed, but stakes escalate, allegiances complicate, and deceptions multiply deliriously, carried along by lovably flawed characters and a manic energy.
Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues (15)
(Adam McKay, 2013, Us) Will Ferrell, Steve Carell, Paul Rudd. 119 mins
The hype is over, as Ferrell reunites his news team and drags them into New York, the 80s and the 24-hour era. But this sequel's absurdity, cameo-fuelled mayhem and mild...
- 12/21/2013
- by Steve Rose
- The Guardian - Film News
Harry Hill, Sheridan Smith and a giant hamster wearing a Christmas hat attended the world premiere of The Harry Hill Movie in London last night (December 19).
Smith, who plays Hill's love interest in the movie, arrived in a sheer red lace dress. She was joined by co-stars Hill, Julie Walters, and the hamster - voiced in the film by Johnny Vegas - on the red carpet in Leicester Square.
Speaking about her role as Shell Girl, the 32-year-old actress told reporters yesterday evening: "It took about four hours in make-up every day, so I'd get picked up at 3am and sit in make-up having all these prosthetic shells put all over my face.
"And I had to wear a fat suit all day, which was mental!
"We had these T-shirts on underneath that had iced water pumped through them because we got so hot. So today I'm like, 'Ah! It's nice and chilly!
Smith, who plays Hill's love interest in the movie, arrived in a sheer red lace dress. She was joined by co-stars Hill, Julie Walters, and the hamster - voiced in the film by Johnny Vegas - on the red carpet in Leicester Square.
Speaking about her role as Shell Girl, the 32-year-old actress told reporters yesterday evening: "It took about four hours in make-up every day, so I'd get picked up at 3am and sit in make-up having all these prosthetic shells put all over my face.
"And I had to wear a fat suit all day, which was mental!
"We had these T-shirts on underneath that had iced water pumped through them because we got so hot. So today I'm like, 'Ah! It's nice and chilly!
- 12/20/2013
- Digital Spy
December 6, 2013
Frozen
Director: Juliet McKoen
Starring: Kristen Bell, Alan Tudyk, Idina Menzel
Running time: 108 mins
Certificate: PG
Getaway
Director: Courtney Solomon
Starring: Ethan Hawke, Selena Gomez, Jon Voight
Running time: 90 mins
Certificate: 12A
Homefront
Director: Gary Fleder
Starring: Jason Statham, James Franco, Winona Ryder
Running time: 100 mins
Certificate: 15
Kill Your Darlings
Director: John Krokidas
Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Dane DeHaan, Michael C Hall
Running time: 104 mins
Certificate: 15
Nebraska
Director: Alexander Payne
Starring: Bruce Dern, Will Forte, June Squibb
Running time: 115 mins
Certificate: 15
Old Boy
Director: Spike Lee
Starring: Josh Brolin, Elizabeth Olsen, Samuel L Jackson
Running time: 104 mins
Certificate: 18
Powder Room
Director: Mj Delaney
Starring: Sheridan Smith, Jaime Winstone, Kate Nash
Running time: 86 mins
Certificate: 15
December 13, 2013
Cinema Paradiso
Director: Giuseppe Tornatore
Starring: Philippe Noiret, Enzo Cannavale, Antonella Attili
Running time: 171 mins
Certificate: PG
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
Director: Peter Jackson
Starring: Martin Freeman, Ian McKellen, Richard Armitage
Running...
Frozen
Director: Juliet McKoen
Starring: Kristen Bell, Alan Tudyk, Idina Menzel
Running time: 108 mins
Certificate: PG
Getaway
Director: Courtney Solomon
Starring: Ethan Hawke, Selena Gomez, Jon Voight
Running time: 90 mins
Certificate: 12A
Homefront
Director: Gary Fleder
Starring: Jason Statham, James Franco, Winona Ryder
Running time: 100 mins
Certificate: 15
Kill Your Darlings
Director: John Krokidas
Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Dane DeHaan, Michael C Hall
Running time: 104 mins
Certificate: 15
Nebraska
Director: Alexander Payne
Starring: Bruce Dern, Will Forte, June Squibb
Running time: 115 mins
Certificate: 15
Old Boy
Director: Spike Lee
Starring: Josh Brolin, Elizabeth Olsen, Samuel L Jackson
Running time: 104 mins
Certificate: 18
Powder Room
Director: Mj Delaney
Starring: Sheridan Smith, Jaime Winstone, Kate Nash
Running time: 86 mins
Certificate: 15
December 13, 2013
Cinema Paradiso
Director: Giuseppe Tornatore
Starring: Philippe Noiret, Enzo Cannavale, Antonella Attili
Running time: 171 mins
Certificate: PG
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
Director: Peter Jackson
Starring: Martin Freeman, Ian McKellen, Richard Armitage
Running...
- 11/19/2013
- Digital Spy
The Harry Hill Movie has premiered its first trailer.
The comedy film sees TV Burp star Hill embark on a road trip to Blackpool with his Nan (Julie Walters) when he discovers that his hamster only has one week to live.
The minute-long trailer sees Hill dodge machine gun fire from chickens, ride a rollercoaster and get soaked by bright green vomit.
The Harry Hill Movie, opening in UK cinemas on December 20, also features Inbetweeners star Simon Bird, Matt Lucas, Sheridan Smith, Marc Wootton, Jim Broadbent and indie band The Magic Numbers.
The film is directed by Steve Bendelack from a script by Hill, Jon Foster and James Lamont.
The comedy film sees TV Burp star Hill embark on a road trip to Blackpool with his Nan (Julie Walters) when he discovers that his hamster only has one week to live.
The minute-long trailer sees Hill dodge machine gun fire from chickens, ride a rollercoaster and get soaked by bright green vomit.
The Harry Hill Movie, opening in UK cinemas on December 20, also features Inbetweeners star Simon Bird, Matt Lucas, Sheridan Smith, Marc Wootton, Jim Broadbent and indie band The Magic Numbers.
The film is directed by Steve Bendelack from a script by Hill, Jon Foster and James Lamont.
- 10/18/2013
- Digital Spy
The Harry Hill Movie has premiered its first trailer.
The comedy film sees TV Burp star Hill embark on a road trip to Blackpool with his Nan (Julie Walters) when he discovers that his hamster only has one week to live.
The minute-long trailer sees Hill dodge machine gun fire from chickens, ride a rollercoaster and get soaked by bright green vomit.
The Harry Hill Movie, opening in UK cinemas on December 20, also features Inbetweeners star Simon Bird, Matt Lucas, Sheridan Smith, Marc Wootton, Jim Broadbent and indie band The Magic Numbers.
The film is directed by Steve Bendelack from a script by Hill, Jon Foster and James Lamont.
The comedy film sees TV Burp star Hill embark on a road trip to Blackpool with his Nan (Julie Walters) when he discovers that his hamster only has one week to live.
The minute-long trailer sees Hill dodge machine gun fire from chickens, ride a rollercoaster and get soaked by bright green vomit.
The Harry Hill Movie, opening in UK cinemas on December 20, also features Inbetweeners star Simon Bird, Matt Lucas, Sheridan Smith, Marc Wootton, Jim Broadbent and indie band The Magic Numbers.
The film is directed by Steve Bendelack from a script by Hill, Jon Foster and James Lamont.
- 10/18/2013
- Digital Spy
The Harry Hill Movie has been given a UK and Ireland release date of December 20, 2013.
The film stars Hill alongside Julie Walters, Simon Bird, Matt Lucas, Sheridan Smith, Marc Wootton, Julian Barratt and Jim Broadbent.
> Harry Hill, Julie Walters film 'The Harry Hill Movie' - on-set pictures
"I can't wait for everyone to see my movie in December," Hill said.
"It's full of all the traditional festive family fun - evil twins, brains with legs, giant hamsters and chickens with guns."
The film centres around Hill and his Nan (Walters) who go off on a road trip to Blackpool when they discover that their hamster is seriously ill.
The Harry Hill Movie is directed by Steve Bendelack from a script by Hill, Jon Foster and James Lamont.
Director of photography is Baz Irvine and the film is produced by Robert Jones and Lucky Features and distributed by Entertainment Film Distributors.
The film stars Hill alongside Julie Walters, Simon Bird, Matt Lucas, Sheridan Smith, Marc Wootton, Julian Barratt and Jim Broadbent.
> Harry Hill, Julie Walters film 'The Harry Hill Movie' - on-set pictures
"I can't wait for everyone to see my movie in December," Hill said.
"It's full of all the traditional festive family fun - evil twins, brains with legs, giant hamsters and chickens with guns."
The film centres around Hill and his Nan (Walters) who go off on a road trip to Blackpool when they discover that their hamster is seriously ill.
The Harry Hill Movie is directed by Steve Bendelack from a script by Hill, Jon Foster and James Lamont.
Director of photography is Baz Irvine and the film is produced by Robert Jones and Lucky Features and distributed by Entertainment Film Distributors.
- 10/16/2013
- Digital Spy
The Harry Hill Movie has been given a UK and Ireland release date of December 20, 2013.
The film stars Hill alongside Julie Walters, Simon Bird, Matt Lucas, Sheridan Smith, Marc Wootton, Julian Barratt and Jim Broadbent.
> Harry Hill, Julie Walters film 'The Harry Hill Movie' - on-set pictures
"I can't wait for everyone to see my movie in December," Hill said.
"It's full of all the traditional festive family fun - evil twins, brains with legs, giant hamsters and chickens with guns."
The film centres around Hill and his Nan (Walters) who go off on a road trip to Blackpool when they discover that their hamster is seriously ill.
The Harry Hill Movie is directed by Steve Bendelack from a script by Hill, Jon Foster and James Lamont.
Director of photography is Baz Irvine and the film is produced by Robert Jones and Lucky Features and distributed by Entertainment Film Distributors.
The film stars Hill alongside Julie Walters, Simon Bird, Matt Lucas, Sheridan Smith, Marc Wootton, Julian Barratt and Jim Broadbent.
> Harry Hill, Julie Walters film 'The Harry Hill Movie' - on-set pictures
"I can't wait for everyone to see my movie in December," Hill said.
"It's full of all the traditional festive family fun - evil twins, brains with legs, giant hamsters and chickens with guns."
The film centres around Hill and his Nan (Walters) who go off on a road trip to Blackpool when they discover that their hamster is seriously ill.
The Harry Hill Movie is directed by Steve Bendelack from a script by Hill, Jon Foster and James Lamont.
Director of photography is Baz Irvine and the film is produced by Robert Jones and Lucky Features and distributed by Entertainment Film Distributors.
- 10/16/2013
- Digital Spy
Harry Hill has started production on his first feature film.
The Harry Hill Movie will see the TV Burp star embark on a road trip to Blackpool with his hard-drinking Nan (Julie Walters) when he discovers that his hamster only has one week to live.
Inbetweeners star Simon Bird will play a vet in pursuit of the pair, while Sheridan Smith is to appear as "an undersea shell person" who steals Harry's heart. Matt Lucas is on board to portray Harry's estranged Alsatian-raised twin brother Otto.
Marc Wootton, Julian Barratt and Jim Broadbent and indie band The Magic Numbers will also feature in the supporting cast.
"I'm thrilled at last to be able to tell the world the true story of my hamster's struggle on the big screen and even more excited to be working with some of the comedy greats of the British film industry," Hill said.
The Harry Hill...
The Harry Hill Movie will see the TV Burp star embark on a road trip to Blackpool with his hard-drinking Nan (Julie Walters) when he discovers that his hamster only has one week to live.
Inbetweeners star Simon Bird will play a vet in pursuit of the pair, while Sheridan Smith is to appear as "an undersea shell person" who steals Harry's heart. Matt Lucas is on board to portray Harry's estranged Alsatian-raised twin brother Otto.
Marc Wootton, Julian Barratt and Jim Broadbent and indie band The Magic Numbers will also feature in the supporting cast.
"I'm thrilled at last to be able to tell the world the true story of my hamster's struggle on the big screen and even more excited to be working with some of the comedy greats of the British film industry," Hill said.
The Harry Hill...
- 5/10/2013
- Digital Spy
Steve Bendelack ("Mr Bean’s Holiday") is set to direct "The Harry Hill Movie" which begins production next week in the United Kingdom.
UK TV personality Harry Hill plays himself as he goes on a road trip to Blackpool with his petrol drinking Nan (Julie Walters), all while being pursued by a lunatic vet (Simon Bird).
Along the way, Harry falls in love with an undersea shell person (Sheridan Smith), and gets into a fight with his evil twin Otto (Matt Lucas). Jim Broadbent and Julian Barratt also star.
Hill, Jon Foster and James Lamont penned the script with a late 2013 release expected.
Source: Screen Daily...
UK TV personality Harry Hill plays himself as he goes on a road trip to Blackpool with his petrol drinking Nan (Julie Walters), all while being pursued by a lunatic vet (Simon Bird).
Along the way, Harry falls in love with an undersea shell person (Sheridan Smith), and gets into a fight with his evil twin Otto (Matt Lucas). Jim Broadbent and Julian Barratt also star.
Hill, Jon Foster and James Lamont penned the script with a late 2013 release expected.
Source: Screen Daily...
- 5/10/2013
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
Julie Walters and Matt Lucas on board as British comic prepares to make big-screen debut in tale of ailing rodent
He has won a Perrier award at the Edinburgh fringe, fronted the successful small-screen clip show TV Burp, and recorded a novelty record with Coronation Street star William Roache (sample line: "I made some mistakes, real howlers, especially with the kids"). Now the British comic Harry Hill is set to make his big-screen debut in an eponymous movie co-starring Julie Walters, Matt Lucas and Jim Broadbent.
The Harry Hill Movie, which begins its eight-week shoot on 12 May, promises a tale of sick hamsters, a fraught road trip, and a King Kong-esque climax atop Blackpool Tower. Walters is set to play Hill's hard-drinking grandmother, while Lucas will appear as the comic's evil twin Otto. According to the press release, the film is "based on a true story".
"I'm thrilled at...
He has won a Perrier award at the Edinburgh fringe, fronted the successful small-screen clip show TV Burp, and recorded a novelty record with Coronation Street star William Roache (sample line: "I made some mistakes, real howlers, especially with the kids"). Now the British comic Harry Hill is set to make his big-screen debut in an eponymous movie co-starring Julie Walters, Matt Lucas and Jim Broadbent.
The Harry Hill Movie, which begins its eight-week shoot on 12 May, promises a tale of sick hamsters, a fraught road trip, and a King Kong-esque climax atop Blackpool Tower. Walters is set to play Hill's hard-drinking grandmother, while Lucas will appear as the comic's evil twin Otto. According to the press release, the film is "based on a true story".
"I'm thrilled at...
- 5/9/2013
- by Xan Brooks
- The Guardian - Film News
The British Academy of Film and Television Arts announced Tuesday (April 24) the nominations for its 2012 television awards. British miniseries "Appropriate Adult," which chronicles the real-life serial killer Fred West, leads the way with four nominations.
Other notable nominations include Dame Maggie Smith up for Supporting Actress for her work on "Downton Abbey" - it's the only nomination "Downton" received, after earning two nominations the previous year. "Modern Family" also earned a nomination in the International category.
The full list of nominations:
Leading Actor
Benedict Cumberbatch - Sherlock (BBC One)
Dominic West - Appropriate Adult (ITV)
John Simm - Exile (BBC One)
Joseph Gilgun - This is England '88 (Channel 4)
Leading Actress
Emily Watson - Appropriate Adult (ITV1)
Nadine Marshall - Random (Channel 4)
Romola Garai - The Crimson Petal and the White (BBC Two)
Vicky McClure - This is England '88 (Channel 4)
Supporting Actor
Andrew Scott - Sherlock...
Other notable nominations include Dame Maggie Smith up for Supporting Actress for her work on "Downton Abbey" - it's the only nomination "Downton" received, after earning two nominations the previous year. "Modern Family" also earned a nomination in the International category.
The full list of nominations:
Leading Actor
Benedict Cumberbatch - Sherlock (BBC One)
Dominic West - Appropriate Adult (ITV)
John Simm - Exile (BBC One)
Joseph Gilgun - This is England '88 (Channel 4)
Leading Actress
Emily Watson - Appropriate Adult (ITV1)
Nadine Marshall - Random (Channel 4)
Romola Garai - The Crimson Petal and the White (BBC Two)
Vicky McClure - This is England '88 (Channel 4)
Supporting Actor
Andrew Scott - Sherlock...
- 4/24/2012
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Zap2It - From Inside the Box
Robert Popper isn’t a name many people will recognize, but he’s been involved with some of the better British comedies in recent years; most notably his co-writing of ’70s school education film spoof Look Around You with Peter Serafinowicz, which even led to him working on a few episodes of South Park. Popper returns with his first solo project, Friday Night Dinner, which is another example of a recent trend to have sitcoms take place in a restrictive location. It even shares some conceptual DNA with Simon Amstell’s Grandma’s House, as they both involve young people mixing with their middle-aged Jewish relatives.
Friday Night Dinner concerns the Friday night ritual of twentysomething brothers Adam (Simon Bird) and Jonny (Tom Rosenthal) visiting their Mum (Tamsin Greig) and Dad (Paul Ritter) for Shabbat. Needless to say, their parents are an eccentric couple: Mum’s obsessed with recording the...
Friday Night Dinner concerns the Friday night ritual of twentysomething brothers Adam (Simon Bird) and Jonny (Tom Rosenthal) visiting their Mum (Tamsin Greig) and Dad (Paul Ritter) for Shabbat. Needless to say, their parents are an eccentric couple: Mum’s obsessed with recording the...
- 2/26/2011
- by Dan Owen
- Obsessed with Film
London -- The U.K. film and television industry, led by trade body the Industry Trust, is changing tack in its fight against piracy by saying thank you to the British public.
The industry body on Thursday will launch a series of three new cinema trailers directed by British director Steve Bendelack ("The League of Gentlemen") with the tagline "you make the movies."
Bendelack's trailers show people paying homage to iconic film moments from "The Lord of the Rings," "The Life of Brian" and "Jaws" in everyday situations, all ending with the tagline.
One shows three fishermen in a boat being hauled out of shot after hooking a big fish.
The message marks a sea change from the usual anti-piracy campaigns that shout criminal at audiences sitting in movie theaters. It marks the first time moviegoers have been given a pat on the back for turning up in theaters to...
The industry body on Thursday will launch a series of three new cinema trailers directed by British director Steve Bendelack ("The League of Gentlemen") with the tagline "you make the movies."
Bendelack's trailers show people paying homage to iconic film moments from "The Lord of the Rings," "The Life of Brian" and "Jaws" in everyday situations, all ending with the tagline.
One shows three fishermen in a boat being hauled out of shot after hooking a big fish.
The message marks a sea change from the usual anti-piracy campaigns that shout criminal at audiences sitting in movie theaters. It marks the first time moviegoers have been given a pat on the back for turning up in theaters to...
- 4/1/2009
- by By Stuart Kemp
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Related story: 'Bourne' snatches o'seas crown from 'Simpsons'
A bunch of horny teens managed to vanquish a batch of new releases at the North American boxoffice this weekend as the blistering summer moviegoing season slowed down en route to its Labor Day weekend close. Crossing the $4 billion mark, summer 2007 passed summer 2004 to set a record for the season a week before it officially ends.
Sony Pictures' R-rated "Superbad" collected an estimated $18 million to top the chart for the second weekend in a row. It's only the third film this summer to claim the No. 1 spot for two consecutive frames, following the $300 million-plus sequels "Spider-Man 3" and "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End."
Three of the weekend's new arrivals were clustered around the $10 million mark, with Universal Pictures' comedy "Mr. Bean's Holiday" the most buoyant, finishing in fourth place with an estimated $10.1 million, followed by Lionsgate's "War" at $10 million and MGM's release of the Weinstein Co.'s "The Nanny Diaries" at $7.8 million. Finishing well outside of the top 10 were the Yari Film Group's dramatic "Resurrecting the Champ", Universal's Latino-flavored "Illegal Tender" and Slowhand Releasing's history-based Western "September Dawn".
Even so, the boxoffice registered an improvement over the comparable frame last year for the seventh weekend in a row. According to Nielsen EDI, the top 10's haul of an estimated $85.5 million was up 12% over the comparable frame in 2006, when Buena Vista's football tale "Invincible" topped the list with a $17 million opening.
"Bean" was something of a wild card heading into the weekend. While awareness of the G-rated comedy starring Rowan Atkinson as a pratfall-prone Englishman on holiday was high, it appeared to be the weekend's underdog because definite interest appeared low. But the film, directed by Steve Bendelack, surprised by grossing an estimated $10.1 million from 1,714 theaters, a per-theater average of $5,904. Given that the movie has already collected nearly $190 million internationally, it's all gravy.
"War", video-maker-turned-director Philip G. Atwell's R-rated actioner that pits Jet Li against Jason Statham, ranked third on Friday but shifted to fifth place over the course of the weekend.
A bunch of horny teens managed to vanquish a batch of new releases at the North American boxoffice this weekend as the blistering summer moviegoing season slowed down en route to its Labor Day weekend close. Crossing the $4 billion mark, summer 2007 passed summer 2004 to set a record for the season a week before it officially ends.
Sony Pictures' R-rated "Superbad" collected an estimated $18 million to top the chart for the second weekend in a row. It's only the third film this summer to claim the No. 1 spot for two consecutive frames, following the $300 million-plus sequels "Spider-Man 3" and "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End."
Three of the weekend's new arrivals were clustered around the $10 million mark, with Universal Pictures' comedy "Mr. Bean's Holiday" the most buoyant, finishing in fourth place with an estimated $10.1 million, followed by Lionsgate's "War" at $10 million and MGM's release of the Weinstein Co.'s "The Nanny Diaries" at $7.8 million. Finishing well outside of the top 10 were the Yari Film Group's dramatic "Resurrecting the Champ", Universal's Latino-flavored "Illegal Tender" and Slowhand Releasing's history-based Western "September Dawn".
Even so, the boxoffice registered an improvement over the comparable frame last year for the seventh weekend in a row. According to Nielsen EDI, the top 10's haul of an estimated $85.5 million was up 12% over the comparable frame in 2006, when Buena Vista's football tale "Invincible" topped the list with a $17 million opening.
"Bean" was something of a wild card heading into the weekend. While awareness of the G-rated comedy starring Rowan Atkinson as a pratfall-prone Englishman on holiday was high, it appeared to be the weekend's underdog because definite interest appeared low. But the film, directed by Steve Bendelack, surprised by grossing an estimated $10.1 million from 1,714 theaters, a per-theater average of $5,904. Given that the movie has already collected nearly $190 million internationally, it's all gravy.
"War", video-maker-turned-director Philip G. Atwell's R-rated actioner that pits Jet Li against Jason Statham, ranked third on Friday but shifted to fifth place over the course of the weekend.
- 8/27/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
This review was written for the theatrical release of "Mr. Bean's Holiday."LONDON -- Calling his new film "Mr. Bean's Holiday" sets the bar awfully high for the latest adventures of Rowan Atkinson's bumbling comic creation. It inevitably invites comparison with Jacques Tati's priceless 1953 farce "Mr. Hulot's Holiday." Unlike the French classic, however, the new picture has plenty of chuckles but few outright laughs as Bean wins a raffle ticket for a vacation in the south of France but loses his way and causes minor havoc roaming the countryside.
Atkinson remains an expert clown, and there are sufficient numbers of gags to ensure that Bean fans worldwide will be kept fairly happy. It's difficult to see the film doing blockbuster business, but it inevitably will have a long DVD shelf life.
The screenplay by British TV writer Hamish McColl and Bean regular Robin Driscoll wastes little time in getting the fussy hero with his ever-present digital movie camera onto the Eurostar headed for Paris. Unable to speak the language and not willing to learn, he is equally incapable of even the basic tourist sign language. He can't order food in a restaurant, find the right train or make a phone call.
As a result, there's little by way of satire, and the jokes depend on Bean's stupidity. This involves such things as ingesting langoustine whole and pitching fresh oysters into his napkin that he then tips into a woman's handbag.
At the Gare de Lyon, Bean's determination to record his trip on video involves a genial fellow, Emil (Karel Roden), who happens to be a Russian film director on his way to the Festival de Cannes. Accidentally leaving Emil stuck on the platform, Bean hooks up with the director's resourceful son Stepan (Max Baldry) as the train heads south.
Bean contrives to miss the train himself at another stop but somehow finds Stepan again, little knowing that the boy's father has reported him kidnapped. It doesn't help matters that Bean has lost his wallet, tickets and passport.
Along the way, Bean encounters a group of filmmakers including egomaniac Carson Clay (Willem Dafoe) and a friendly young actress, Sabine (Emma de Caunes). Soon they all find themselves heading for Cannes and a climax at the premiere of Clay's pretentious new film to which Bean makes an unexpected contribution.
Atkinson is given several set pieces in which director Steve Bendelack, a British TV veteran, pretty much lets him get on with it. These include the lengthy restaurant sequence that is squishy enough to please youngsters; an empty-road scene that draws from "North by Northwest" and "Lawrence of Arabia" without turning into anything especially amusing; and a clever bit in which Bean manages to stride straight out from the top of the Palais des Festivals in Cannes to the beach without missing a step.
Cinematographer Baz Irvine and production designer Michael Carlin make sure the film has plenty of color and movement, helped by Howard Goodall's jaunty score.
Baldry and de Caunes are appealing as Bean's foils, though Dafoe appears to think he's in a pantomime and hams up a storm. Atkinson reportedly says this is Bean's last outing. While the film is amusing, it is disappointing that Atkinson appears content to play it safe. It would have been fun to see him aim higher.
MR. BEAN'S HOLIDAY
Universal Pictures
StudioCanal presents a Working Title production in association with Tiger Aspect Pictures
Credits:
Director: Steve Bendelack
Screenwriters: Hamish McColl & Robin Driscoll
Story: Simon McBurney
Producers: Peter Bennett-Jones, Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner
Executive producers: Simon McBurney & Richard Curtis
Director of photography: Baz Irvine
Production designer: Michael Carlin
Editor: Tony Cranstoun
Costume designer: Pierre-Yves Gayraud
Composer: Howard Goodall
Cast:
Bean: Rowan Atkinson
Stepan: Max Baldry
Sabine: Emma de Caunes
Carson Clay: Willem Dafoe
Emil: Karel Roden
Maitre d': Jean Rochefort
Running time -- 88 minutes
MPAA rating: PG...
Atkinson remains an expert clown, and there are sufficient numbers of gags to ensure that Bean fans worldwide will be kept fairly happy. It's difficult to see the film doing blockbuster business, but it inevitably will have a long DVD shelf life.
The screenplay by British TV writer Hamish McColl and Bean regular Robin Driscoll wastes little time in getting the fussy hero with his ever-present digital movie camera onto the Eurostar headed for Paris. Unable to speak the language and not willing to learn, he is equally incapable of even the basic tourist sign language. He can't order food in a restaurant, find the right train or make a phone call.
As a result, there's little by way of satire, and the jokes depend on Bean's stupidity. This involves such things as ingesting langoustine whole and pitching fresh oysters into his napkin that he then tips into a woman's handbag.
At the Gare de Lyon, Bean's determination to record his trip on video involves a genial fellow, Emil (Karel Roden), who happens to be a Russian film director on his way to the Festival de Cannes. Accidentally leaving Emil stuck on the platform, Bean hooks up with the director's resourceful son Stepan (Max Baldry) as the train heads south.
Bean contrives to miss the train himself at another stop but somehow finds Stepan again, little knowing that the boy's father has reported him kidnapped. It doesn't help matters that Bean has lost his wallet, tickets and passport.
Along the way, Bean encounters a group of filmmakers including egomaniac Carson Clay (Willem Dafoe) and a friendly young actress, Sabine (Emma de Caunes). Soon they all find themselves heading for Cannes and a climax at the premiere of Clay's pretentious new film to which Bean makes an unexpected contribution.
Atkinson is given several set pieces in which director Steve Bendelack, a British TV veteran, pretty much lets him get on with it. These include the lengthy restaurant sequence that is squishy enough to please youngsters; an empty-road scene that draws from "North by Northwest" and "Lawrence of Arabia" without turning into anything especially amusing; and a clever bit in which Bean manages to stride straight out from the top of the Palais des Festivals in Cannes to the beach without missing a step.
Cinematographer Baz Irvine and production designer Michael Carlin make sure the film has plenty of color and movement, helped by Howard Goodall's jaunty score.
Baldry and de Caunes are appealing as Bean's foils, though Dafoe appears to think he's in a pantomime and hams up a storm. Atkinson reportedly says this is Bean's last outing. While the film is amusing, it is disappointing that Atkinson appears content to play it safe. It would have been fun to see him aim higher.
MR. BEAN'S HOLIDAY
Universal Pictures
StudioCanal presents a Working Title production in association with Tiger Aspect Pictures
Credits:
Director: Steve Bendelack
Screenwriters: Hamish McColl & Robin Driscoll
Story: Simon McBurney
Producers: Peter Bennett-Jones, Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner
Executive producers: Simon McBurney & Richard Curtis
Director of photography: Baz Irvine
Production designer: Michael Carlin
Editor: Tony Cranstoun
Costume designer: Pierre-Yves Gayraud
Composer: Howard Goodall
Cast:
Bean: Rowan Atkinson
Stepan: Max Baldry
Sabine: Emma de Caunes
Carson Clay: Willem Dafoe
Emil: Karel Roden
Maitre d': Jean Rochefort
Running time -- 88 minutes
MPAA rating: PG...
- 3/27/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
LONDON -- Calling his new film Mr. Bean's Holiday sets the bar awfully high for the latest adventures of Rowan Atkinson's bumbling comic creation. It inevitably invites comparison with Jacques Tati's priceless 1953 farce "Mr. Hulot's Holiday." Unlike the French classic, however, the new picture has plenty of chuckles but few outright laughs as Bean wins a raffle ticket for a vacation in the south of France but loses his way and causes minor havoc roaming the countryside.
Atkinson remains an expert clown, and there are sufficient numbers of gags to ensure that Bean fans worldwide will be kept fairly happy. It's difficult to see the film doing blockbuster business, but it inevitably will have a long DVD shelf life.
The screenplay by British TV writer Hamish McColl and Bean regular Robin Driscoll wastes little time in getting the fussy hero with his ever-present digital movie camera onto the Eurostar headed for Paris. Unable to speak the language and not willing to learn, he is equally incapable of even the basic tourist sign language. He can't order food in a restaurant, find the right train or make a phone call.
As a result, there's little by way of satire, and the jokes depend on Bean's stupidity. This involves such things as ingesting langoustine whole and pitching fresh oysters into his napkin that he then tips into a woman's handbag.
At the Gare de Lyon, Bean's determination to record his trip on video involves a genial fellow, Emil (Karel Roden), who happens to be a Russian film director on his way to the Festival de Cannes. Accidentally leaving Emil stuck on the platform, Bean hooks up with the director's resourceful son Stepan (Max Baldry) as the train heads south.
Bean contrives to miss the train himself at another stop but somehow finds Stepan again, little knowing that the boy's father has reported him kidnapped. It doesn't help matters that Bean has lost his wallet, tickets and passport.
Along the way, Bean encounters a group of filmmakers including egomaniac Carson Clay (Willem Dafoe) and a friendly young actress, Sabine (Emma de Caunes). Soon they all find themselves heading for Cannes and a climax at the premiere of Clay's pretentious new film to which Bean makes an unexpected contribution.
Atkinson is given several set pieces in which director Steve Bendelack, a British TV veteran, pretty much lets him get on with it. These include the lengthy restaurant sequence that is squishy enough to please youngsters; an empty-road scene that draws from North by Northwest and Lawrence of Arabia without turning into anything especially amusing; and a clever bit in which Bean manages to stride straight out from the top of the Palais des Festivals in Cannes to the beach without missing a step.
Cinematographer Baz Irvine and production designer Michael Carlin make sure the film has plenty of color and movement, helped by Howard Goodall's jaunty score.
Baldry and de Caunes are appealing as Bean's foils, though Dafoe appears to think he's in a pantomime and hams up a storm. Atkinson reportedly says this is Bean's last outing. While the film is amusing, it is disappointing that Atkinson appears content to play it safe. It would have been fun to see him aim higher.
MR. BEAN'S HOLIDAY
Universal Pictures
StudioCanal presents a Working Title production in association with Tiger Aspect Pictures
Credits:
Director: Steve Bendelack
Screenwriters: Hamish McColl & Robin Driscoll
Story: Simon McBurney
Producers: Peter Bennett-Jones, Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner
Executive producers: Simon McBurney & Richard Curtis
Director of photography: Baz Irvine
Production designer: Michael Carlin
Editor: Tony Cranstoun
Costume designer: Pierre-Yves Gayraud
Composer: Howard Goodall
Cast:
Bean: Rowan Atkinson
Stepan: Max Baldry
Sabine: Emma de Caunes
Carson Clay: Willem Dafoe
Emil: Karel Roden
Maitre d': Jean Rochefort
Running time -- 88 minutes
MPAA rating: PG...
Atkinson remains an expert clown, and there are sufficient numbers of gags to ensure that Bean fans worldwide will be kept fairly happy. It's difficult to see the film doing blockbuster business, but it inevitably will have a long DVD shelf life.
The screenplay by British TV writer Hamish McColl and Bean regular Robin Driscoll wastes little time in getting the fussy hero with his ever-present digital movie camera onto the Eurostar headed for Paris. Unable to speak the language and not willing to learn, he is equally incapable of even the basic tourist sign language. He can't order food in a restaurant, find the right train or make a phone call.
As a result, there's little by way of satire, and the jokes depend on Bean's stupidity. This involves such things as ingesting langoustine whole and pitching fresh oysters into his napkin that he then tips into a woman's handbag.
At the Gare de Lyon, Bean's determination to record his trip on video involves a genial fellow, Emil (Karel Roden), who happens to be a Russian film director on his way to the Festival de Cannes. Accidentally leaving Emil stuck on the platform, Bean hooks up with the director's resourceful son Stepan (Max Baldry) as the train heads south.
Bean contrives to miss the train himself at another stop but somehow finds Stepan again, little knowing that the boy's father has reported him kidnapped. It doesn't help matters that Bean has lost his wallet, tickets and passport.
Along the way, Bean encounters a group of filmmakers including egomaniac Carson Clay (Willem Dafoe) and a friendly young actress, Sabine (Emma de Caunes). Soon they all find themselves heading for Cannes and a climax at the premiere of Clay's pretentious new film to which Bean makes an unexpected contribution.
Atkinson is given several set pieces in which director Steve Bendelack, a British TV veteran, pretty much lets him get on with it. These include the lengthy restaurant sequence that is squishy enough to please youngsters; an empty-road scene that draws from North by Northwest and Lawrence of Arabia without turning into anything especially amusing; and a clever bit in which Bean manages to stride straight out from the top of the Palais des Festivals in Cannes to the beach without missing a step.
Cinematographer Baz Irvine and production designer Michael Carlin make sure the film has plenty of color and movement, helped by Howard Goodall's jaunty score.
Baldry and de Caunes are appealing as Bean's foils, though Dafoe appears to think he's in a pantomime and hams up a storm. Atkinson reportedly says this is Bean's last outing. While the film is amusing, it is disappointing that Atkinson appears content to play it safe. It would have been fun to see him aim higher.
MR. BEAN'S HOLIDAY
Universal Pictures
StudioCanal presents a Working Title production in association with Tiger Aspect Pictures
Credits:
Director: Steve Bendelack
Screenwriters: Hamish McColl & Robin Driscoll
Story: Simon McBurney
Producers: Peter Bennett-Jones, Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner
Executive producers: Simon McBurney & Richard Curtis
Director of photography: Baz Irvine
Production designer: Michael Carlin
Editor: Tony Cranstoun
Costume designer: Pierre-Yves Gayraud
Composer: Howard Goodall
Cast:
Bean: Rowan Atkinson
Stepan: Max Baldry
Sabine: Emma de Caunes
Carson Clay: Willem Dafoe
Emil: Karel Roden
Maitre d': Jean Rochefort
Running time -- 88 minutes
MPAA rating: PG...
- 3/27/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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