If you're not familiar with Steve Coogan and his work as Alan Partridge you're going to be disappointed. If you're only familiar with Steve Coogan as Alan Partridge you're going to be disappointed. Steve Coogan plays himself brilliantly, perfectly in fact. The petty disputes of an actor, about something so mundane such as the height of his shoes ("It's an issue of status") are expertly portrayed, whilst anyone watching this really feels the irritation of being pigeon-holed as a one character man (most people who interact with Coogan as Coogan in this film seem to think he actually is Alan Partridge).
The film's plot is truly anarchic, but this is entirely intentional, and as ironic as it may seem this anarchy is beautifully orchestrated. The book of Tristram Shandy, that the film within the film is based upon, sets out to tell the life of events of Shandy, however through continuous distraction and procrastination never gets further than his birth. This is addressed in the film as well, but the characters themselves are all distracted and procrastinate as well...this is a the film of a film of a book, which is all loosely based upon the same book!
In terms of actual comedy this film is hilarious. There's great physical comedy (Coogan, a hot chestnut, the genital region), there's superb character interaction and there's just a comedic genius in the obnoxiousness of Steve Coogan as Steve Coogan.
The show-stealer, without a doubt, is Rob Brydon. His impressions are spot on (of Steve Coogan/Al Pacino/Roger Moore) and he is funny as the 'modest' Uncle Toby and as himself. The chemistry between Coogan and Brydon is spot-on, with totally improvised opening shots and closing shots.
David Walliams, Mark Williams, Stephen Fry and Dylan Moran all have memorable bit parts. Mark Williams is especially funny as the historical adviser ("What did you think of Cold Mountain's battle scenes.....SH*TE!") and for those who know Dylan Moran as himself can enjoy his last line (Q"How many drinks do you have a day?" DM "...er..a number....").
It isn't the fantastic acting or simply the comedy that made this film so enjoyable, however, it was the story it told. Coogan is an insecure, unfaithful and utterly self-centered brat in the beginning. Yet when, like Walter Shandy does in the book, he realises that however much you try to plan something, control life, it makes no difference it will always lead it's own anarchic path. Only after discovering this does he find peace, his libido and the film feels naturally resolved.
Tristram Shandy: A Cock & Bull Story is laugh out loud funny and I really would recommend anyone who's interested in film or comedy to see it.
The film's plot is truly anarchic, but this is entirely intentional, and as ironic as it may seem this anarchy is beautifully orchestrated. The book of Tristram Shandy, that the film within the film is based upon, sets out to tell the life of events of Shandy, however through continuous distraction and procrastination never gets further than his birth. This is addressed in the film as well, but the characters themselves are all distracted and procrastinate as well...this is a the film of a film of a book, which is all loosely based upon the same book!
In terms of actual comedy this film is hilarious. There's great physical comedy (Coogan, a hot chestnut, the genital region), there's superb character interaction and there's just a comedic genius in the obnoxiousness of Steve Coogan as Steve Coogan.
The show-stealer, without a doubt, is Rob Brydon. His impressions are spot on (of Steve Coogan/Al Pacino/Roger Moore) and he is funny as the 'modest' Uncle Toby and as himself. The chemistry between Coogan and Brydon is spot-on, with totally improvised opening shots and closing shots.
David Walliams, Mark Williams, Stephen Fry and Dylan Moran all have memorable bit parts. Mark Williams is especially funny as the historical adviser ("What did you think of Cold Mountain's battle scenes.....SH*TE!") and for those who know Dylan Moran as himself can enjoy his last line (Q"How many drinks do you have a day?" DM "...er..a number....").
It isn't the fantastic acting or simply the comedy that made this film so enjoyable, however, it was the story it told. Coogan is an insecure, unfaithful and utterly self-centered brat in the beginning. Yet when, like Walter Shandy does in the book, he realises that however much you try to plan something, control life, it makes no difference it will always lead it's own anarchic path. Only after discovering this does he find peace, his libido and the film feels naturally resolved.
Tristram Shandy: A Cock & Bull Story is laugh out loud funny and I really would recommend anyone who's interested in film or comedy to see it.