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Reviews
Mister John (2013)
Pointless waste of celluloid
Boring, witless production, one for the luvvies to enthuse about no doubt. For me a complete waste of time, you keep wondering when it will develop and then discover there's only 5 minutes left - with relief!
Not Only But Always (2004)
Ifans The Magnificent
The likeness to Cook is incredulous. Ifans grip of his satirical tone, sarcastic cruelty and eventual internecine nature, is captured to perfection and ably supported by Aidan McArdle as Dudley Moore.
Those who can recall the first release of the infamous 'Derek and Clive' cassettes, will particularly enjoy that content in the story. Who can remember anyone, who on first introduction to these two character's didn't laugh, sometimes to the point of near unconsciousness at Cook's monotone, seemingly 'ad lib' delivery, eventually forcing Dud to breaking point and uncontrollable waves of laughter.
Strange now, at this distance, how it's Cook's less public persona that is probably the most memorable of the two. It's worth remembering however, that the screenplay is based upon his autobiography, so at times the presentation tends to reflect that input
Dudley's bright candle, nonetheless did give a lovely light whilst it shone, be it all too briefly.
The whole thing is so well done, that at times I thought I'd travelled back in time. I'd never heard of Ifans, before this performance but await other appearances with positive anticipation.
Fred Dibnah: Steeplejack (1979)
Grand Stuff
I met the mercurial little chap, when he knocked down a chimney near Bolton in 1982. A tremendously funny series, redolent throughout with the true soul of Lancashire people, of that genre, for whom often life was a constant struggle to survive. Here was a great human being, who knew his limitations and tried not to upset too many people inside them. The sheer courage to climb those dizzy heights and the sadness expressed when yet another structural servant to the Mill Owners was destroyed is well captured, both with words and Fred's reactionary body language In truth there were probably many Fred's knocking about, now their a rarity !
God bless you Fred.