Rating of
2.5/4
Somebody Shoot the DJ!
Chris Kavan - wrote on 05/31/14
I'm a fan of British comedy - but still new to the concept of British TV (other than what I can get on BBC America). Therefore, I have never seen the TV show this is based on, but I was interested in this for one reason: Steve Coogan. The man is consistently funny, whether in supporting or main roles and Alan Partridge is no exception.
The film involves a radio station being taken over by corporate company looking to homogenize the proceedings with their brand. Coogan's Alan Partridge is one of the most senior radio DJs on the air, along with Pat Ferrel (Colm Meaney). When he realizes one of them will inevitably be given the sack, he immediately throws Pat under the bus - and this comes back to haunt him when Pat take the station hostage. Partridge escapes, but is soon brought back in to act as an intermediary between Pat and the police in hopes of bringing a peaceful end to the standoff.
Even though I'm sure many of the references flew over my head, that doesn't mean I couldn't enjoy the film. In fact, I think the best reason to see this is the perfect chemistry that Coogan has with Meaney. The Partridge characters is a narcissistic, self-serving, cowardly and at times thoroughly unlikeable guy - yet Coogan plays him with straight-faced. dead-pan familiarity. In contrast, Meaney's characters is a bit of a hot-headed, angry guy - who still pines for his late wife while bemoaning the fact the "old days" aren't coming back. Every time the two are in scenes together, its golden.
But Coogan himself is great - whether it's a fantasy where "Jason Statham, Jason Bourne and Jason Argonaut (all played by Coogan) save the day or when he loses his pants (and more) and pulls a "Buffalo Bill" for the paparazzi - certain parts will have you rolling regardless if you even have an inkling about the original TV show.
Granted, I have a hard time believing most American audiences will get this - it doesn't have the wide appeal of, say, Hot Fuzz or even that old Monty Python chestnut - but for those more apt to check out British comedy, it has its high points. And if you've enjoyed Coogan in the past, it's pretty much a given you'll find some good in this, too.
