Ironically given my post of yesterday I ended up watching Brassed Off on early morning television this morning in Washington. I was surprised to see it on the US, but then the political context would not be clear if you didn't live through that time. It was a period where whole communities were destroyed in pursuit of ideology masquerading as efficiency. Stephen Tompkinson's performance in particular was outstanding, and his speech to children in the church before he attempts suicide moved me to tears. How this powerful historical testimony can be classed as a comedy I don't know.
Comments (3)
I know it's a cliche, but the best comedy always deals with tragedy: the desperation in Steptoe and Son, or the inability to cope in The Office. And remember the suicide floating in the Thames in Three Men in a Boat.
That's what makes bad comedy dull, there's no danger.
Posted by Steve Freeman | March 19, 2009 8:23 PM
Posted on March 19, 2009 20:23
Rats! I don't remember that speech. I'm going to have to watch it again, now.
Posted by Karyn Romeis | March 20, 2009 10:57 AM
Posted on March 20, 2009 10:57
Brilliant movie, that scene always makes me weepy. Brassed Off isn't a comedy in my books, rather a serious and poignant tale told with a light touch, which is nice and appropriate, stylistically. One of very few movies I will watch more than once, and now sort of an annual for me.
Posted by Jon Husband | March 22, 2009 4:00 PM
Posted on March 22, 2009 16:00