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| Movie Review:Tristram Shandy: A Cock and Bull Story Alternate Title: A Book Wrapped in a Film within
a Film
Story: Wildly uneven and prolific
director Michael Winterbottom hits the plus column
in this delightful romp based on The Life and Opinions of Tristram
Shandy, Gentleman by Laurence Sterne.(For those
interested in details it was published in nine volumes between the ten
year period 1760 -1770). Screenwriter Michael Hardy somehow
managed to translate this stream of conscious tome into a film. It is
presented as the behind the scenes making of a movie about a movie about
the book. The laughs are not of the belly type but more of a constant
giggle. The film seamlessly goes from scenes out of the book to real
time and then back to reel time. We meet both goofy characters in present
day and in18th century. It sounds hard to follow but it is not. Just
sit back and enjoy the lighthearted random messiness of life through
the centuries. Acting: Everyone stays in character throughout and
applause all around to: Steve Coogan, Rob Brydon, Jeremy Northam,
Kelly MacDonald, Stephen Fry and Gillian Anderson.
Predilection: None
Critters: Lots of livestock including horses, chickens,
pigs and dogs.
Food: Not much food but lots and lots of booze.
Soundtrack: Funny
Theater Audience: More people than I had expected
with lots and lots of giggling.
Sappy Factor: 0
Quirky Meter: 2
Squirm Scale: 0 - There is no squirming but I did
get a surprise while researching some background on this film to discover
that the very secret Skull and Bones Society is rumored to use some
of the characters from Tristram Shady in its rituals. Now that's squirmy.
Drift Factor: I did not drift at all.
Predictability Level: I had not a clue where this
film was headed.
Tissue Usage: 0
Oscar Worthy: No
Big Screen or Rental: Rental would be fine. For some
of Michael Winterbottom's other films you could dare
to rent: 9 Songs, Code 46, In This World, 24 Hour Party People,
The Claim, With or Without You,Wonderland, I Want You, Welcome to Sarajevo
and Jude.
Length: Under the two hour Lobo rule.
LOBO HOWLS: 6
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