Review for Pirate Radio

Pirate Radio (R)

Release Date: November 13th
Director: Richard Curtis
Starring: Philip Seymour Hoffman, Bill Nighy, Rhys Ifans, Nick Frost, Kenneth Branagh, Tom Sturridge, Emma Thompson, Jack Davenport
Rating: 3 ½ out of 5 stars

Imagine living right now in a world where the Internet and iTunes didn’t exist, and the radio only played your favorite music for no more than thirty minutes a day. If you weren’t alive and living in Britain during the 1960s this is hard to imagine. But for them, it was real. When it comes to music, however, you will always have some crazy outlaws that will go as far as to anchor ships off the coast of Britain and broadcast music from there 24/7. This is what “Pirate Radio” is all about.

In this movie everyone’s life is centered around rock ‘n’ roll, as it was for a lot of people in that time. After all, the 1960s was an era of some of the best rock music to ever hit the airwaves. So it is understandable to enjoy the story of a group of DJs that broadcast rock ‘n’ roll from a ship out in the ocean even though most of them are egotistical and a bit insane. The group includes Philip Seymour Hoffman who plays the role of “The Count,” an outspoken American who is more or less one of the leaders of the group. Gavin, played by Rhys Ifans, is a womanizing British superstar who joins the crew and participates in making their lives a little more interesting and provocative. Bill Nighy plays Quentin, the man that owns the boat, and he is also the most level-headed and professional of the men. Carl is Quentin’s godson, played by Tom Sturridge, who boards the boat early on in the movie after being kicked out of school. He is a shy, virgin who seeks guidance from the men who introduce him to new things, sex, drugs, and rock ‘n’ roll, of course. The rest of the group includes Dave, a chubby guy who is a great contribution to the humor of the film. Bob, a DJ that takes over the early morning hours of the radio and who keeps to himself so much that the crew forgets he even exists. Simon, the guy looking for true love who has a short marriage gone bad. Thick Kevin, a man who is just that—thick-headed. Mark, who is claimed to be the sexiest guy but hardly ever says a word. Felicity, the only woman that lives on the ship who is the lesbian cook. Many others also contribute to life on the Pirate Radio boat. Kenneth Branagh plays the antagonist, a government minister named Dormandy whom, it seems, only goal in life is to shut down Pirate Radio. Emma Thompson also makes a short appearance, playing the role of Carl’s mother.

The group lives their lives aboard a boat anchored out at sea and broadcasts rock music 24/7. They keep themselves entertained in a way that any group of men stuck on a boat would—by drinking, listening to music, broadcasting, making fun of each other, and having women who worship them shipped out to board their boat every now and then.

Director Richard Curtis makes a wise choice throwing these men together on a ship. All of them have their own different personalities. The clash of variety here makes the relationships on the boat entertaining. They all contribute a little something of their own to the plot. The carelessness and charisma of the group make the characters enjoyable to watch. Not too much even has to be happening at once. Conversations and jokes that go on between the different characters are satisfying enough because it’s easy to laugh with them. They bring humor, wisdom, and sentiment to the film.

“Pirate Radio” is the kind of movie that shows unity through music. Cut scenes show the people of Britain jumping around and dancing in their bedrooms and workplaces as the songs broadcasted from Pirate Radio are heard through their speakers. Without ruining it, I will say the ending is also a perfect example of this. Britain united by a group of crazy men who devote their lives to bringing music to their country.

The humor is great, the characters are developed enough for a movie that has so many characters, and the acting is excellent. “Pirate Radio” is a movie that will entertain and make you laugh, as well as make for a very good soundtrack.

Watch the trailer: