Wolff rating: GOOD
Plot summary: Coal miner's brass band competes in national championship even as the coal mine is being shut down by the Tory government.
Biased, pithy comments: This movie is *not* kind to Thatcher. Not at all. Alas, although I don't support what the Tories did to the common laborer, perhaps weaning England from coal is a good choice for the environment in the long run. Political aspirations aside, this is a small movie about out-of-work Yorkies being driven insane by their unemployment, not unlike ``The Full Monty.'' In this case we swap cheesy 70s music for some very, very sweet brass music. This should be enough, and it nearly is, except that the movie doesn't quite have a focus even as it comes to a head, with a somewhat unsatisfactory ending resulting. Still, a good watch if only to experience the music, Pete Postlethwaite's acting, and, well, uh, Tara Fitzgerald wearing purple. Ah, a woman in a band uniform. Yow!
Other Notes: That's music by a collier's band on the soundtrack, rather than a bunch of studio musicians. Made me long for my days as a band conductor.
How many times I have seen it: x1`<
Starring: Pete Postlethwaite, Tara Fitzgerald, Ewan McGregor, Jim Carter.
Directed by: Mark Herman