Still Crazy (1998)

Director:

Brian Gibson

Writers:

Dick Clement (written by) &
Ian La Frenais (written by)

Release Date:

22 January 1999 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Romance | Music

Tagline:

They were "Strange Fruit". Some called them the greatest rock band of the '70s. They haven't played together for 20 years. No wonder they're worried about their performance.

Plot:

"Strange Fruit" had everything that makes a legendary rockband: Money, Fame, Success, Groupies, a Singer who died of drugs and even a divine ending...

Plot Keywords:

Reunion | Tour | Concert Film | Reference To Jimi Hendrix | Fictional Band

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Golden Globes. Another 2 wins & 3 nominations

Cast

Stephen Rea	...	Tony Costello
Billy Connolly	...	Hughie
Jimmy Nail	...	Les Wickes
Timothy Spall	...	David 'Beano' Baggot
Bill Nighy	...	Ray Simms
Juliet Aubrey	...	Karen Knowles
Helena Bergström	...	Astrid Simms
Bruce Robinson	...	Brian Lovell
Hans Matheson	...	Luke Shand
Rachael Stirling	...	Clare Knowles
Phil Daniels	...	Neil Gaydon
Philip Davis	...	Limo Driver (as Phil Davis)
Frances Barber	...	Lady in Black
Zoë Ball	...	Zoë
Virginia Clay	...	Young Karen

MPAA:

Rated R for language, sexuality and drug content.

Runtime:

95 min | Argentina:100 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Canada:PG (Ontario) | Iceland:L | Australia:M | Belgium:KT | Canada:PG | France:U | Germany:12 | Netherlands:12 | Portugal:M/12 (video premiere) | Spain:13 | Sweden:7 | UK:15 | USA:R | Argentina:13 | Philippines:PG-13

Filming Locations:

Albert R. Broccoli 007 Stage, Pinewood Studios, Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire, England, UK

Company:

Columbia Pictures Corporation

Trivia:

First cinema film of Mackenzie Crook.

Goofs:

Factual errors: During their Dutch tour, when Ray is being interviewed, we see a Dutch sign behind the band members which reads: "Verboden te parkeren" (No Parking). But the sign above the men's toilet next to the sign reads "Herren" which is German for "Men" instead of the Dutch word "Heren".

Quotes:

Karen: Tell me Astrid, how are Kirby, Steele and Oakes?
Astrid: I don't listen to their music.
Karen: They're your estate agents, the ones trying to offload Wuthering Heights, so don't pretend you don't need this.
Astrid: You are a bloody nosy bitch Karen, and also a slut. I remember Isle of Wight.

Movie Connections:

References Night of the Living Dead (1968)

Soundtrack:

BIRD ON A WIRE

The Greatest Film . . .

Brian Gibson's Still Crazy was not a film on my list. However, one afternoon I was channel surfing on a satellite dish and came across this AMAZING film about a 1970's rock & roll band who comes back together twenty years after their disasterous final concert. For keyboard player Tony (Stephen Rea), guitar player/backup singer Les (Jimmy Nail), lead singer Ray (Bill Nighy), drummer Beano (Timothy Spall), "road dog" Hughie (Billy Connolly), and manager Karen (Juliet Aubrey), a second chance is a God send. Unfortunately, they are lacking two players, Keith, who died of a drug overdose two years before the Strange Fruit's final concert, and Brian, his brother, a stunning guitar player who was the genious and the glue of the band. Still Crazy is a fabulous mixture of British comedy, damn fine music, and superb performances, especially by Bill Nighy as the pathetically egotistical Ray Simms. Helena Bergstrom is also hilarious as Ray's over-protective wife, Astrid. Watch especially for a couple of poignant scenes between Juliet Aubrey and Bruce Robinson, who appears in a touching cameo. Out of 10 stars, I give this hilarious and sweet rock & roll resurrection film a good, solid 10!