Reviews

I'm not sure how much enjoyment anyone who wasn't a fan or wasn't there would get out of this film, but if you loved these bands, these people, the scenes, Factory, the Hacienda and even Tony Wilson, then this is a must-see for you. I was pleased when I heard that Michael Winterbottom was going to be making it, because he's about the best British film maker around at the moment, and he was also a Factory fan so I was sure he'd want to make a good job of it. He has. I doubt if anyone could've done it any better, and it does focus rightly on the 2 most important bands - Joy Division and Happy Mondays. I'm sure some people will be a little surprised and disappointed that there's not much New Order in it, but although they made some fine records, they were'nt really as important to the Manchester scene - apart from funding the Hacienda - as JD and HM were.

The film is well paced and never gets boring, but, although it's amusing, it is not really as funny as some reviewers would have you think. Steve Coogan carries it throughout as a caricature Tony Wilson. Sean Harris does a good Ian Curtis, Paddy Considine a very convincing Rob Gretton, Danny Cunningham a passable Shaun Ryder, while Chris Coghill does a flawless Bez dance! The specially re-made Hacienda looks the real deal, especially when its full to the rafters when the acid house scene takes off. It struggles a bit early on with its portrayal of Joy Divison, but it's tone is perfectly pitched for the lunacy of the Happy Mondays and the drugs mayhem that brought that band, the club and ultimately the record label to an end. But it was a great ride while it lasted, and this film makes a brave stab at revisiting the brilliance that was Madchester.

My fave film of 2001 yet. In another week I may not have gone to see this, so I'm glad there were no other releases that appealed to me, because I wouldn't want to have missed this - I enjoyed it more than I was expecting to. Yes, it is reminiscent of 'Heaven's Gate', but this is probably better, if only for the fact that you won't have to devote half a day to see it. It has its flaws certainly - for instance, Wes Bentley's character doesn't really convince - but its positives far outweigh those: it looks great, the performances are excellent, and it's moving without being sentimental. Although her character was maybe just a little too sweet and humble for me (but that's not really her fault) Sarah Polley steals the show. Peter Mullan was class too, but (again, not the actor's fault) I did find it hard to reconcile how old he looked given the timescale and his character as depicted in flashback - though I guess the hard life of a prospector in 1860's America would have taken it's toll. This movie does give you a feel for how life would have been at that time and place, and for the importance the railways played in the country's development. The moral of the story is the old one about selling your soul for filthy lucre, you have to live with your sins and your mistakes, and you can't put a price on love. I rarely pay to go see a movie twice, but I might just make an exception for this one. Don't miss.