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Reviews
My Summer with Des (1998)
Beautifully evocative
I remember watching this in the excitement of the run up to France '98. I remember little of the plot (some vague memory of a girl, the Holland match, a garden party) except, of course, the match structure. But I do remember enjoying it. Moreover, I remember how it perfectly captured the excitment and hope of Euro '96. I was watching this and almost forgetting how it would inevitably end. I genuinely believed England were going to go all the way despite that niggling memory in the back of my mind.
Definately worth checking out if you can, particularly if England's approaching another major tournament :0)
Brassed Off (1996)
An outstanding, sadly misunderstood film.
Every time I have seen this film I have been moved to tears which is not an easy task.
Many commenters have complained that it's political and that the political message is crammed down your throat. I was not surprised to note that most of these people were not English and therefore less likely to have seen this story unfold in real life. I however felt the political message was welcome and handled well - it is difficult not to keep returning to the issue of pit closure since that is what the film is about.
The characters were realistic and beautifully portrayed, with Pete Poselthwaite, as usual, a delight to watch.
It is impossible to comment on this film without commenting on it's phenomenal soundtrack. (For the person who asked - the band would have to close as it is a colliery band.) In particular, I was absolutely blown away by the chilling performance of Concierto d'Aranjuez over the scenes of negotiation - I cannot think of many film moments to better it.
Overall, a stunning and powerful tale about an crumbling industry that is bringing lives down as it falls. Not the romantic comedy some seem to bill it as, but ne'ertheless a masterpiece that shows the best the British film industry has to offer.
10/10 and more.