Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #9135 in DVD
• Released on: 2004-12-06
• Rating: Suitable for 12 years and over
• Format: PAL
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 87 minutes

Synopsis
Nice guy Colin (Michael Sheen) is everybody's pal. By day, he runs a corner store. At night, he heads to the pub to play darts--and that's pretty much his life. His wife, Sandra (Jane Robbins), has never been very faithful, but when she runs off with local policeman and fellow darts enthusiast Geoff (Jim Carter), Colin realizes that he needs her, and takes off to Blackpool on a moped in order to win her back. Along the way, he meets a myriad of amusing and helpful characters who aid him in his journey and make him see that he hasn't exactly been experiencing life to the fullest. This warm British road comedy was written by Paul Fraser, a frequent collaborator to Shane Meadows (ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE MIDLANDS, A ROOM FOR ROMEO BRASS).

Customer Reviews

A charming, quintessentially British film
A moving tale of a young man "discovering himself" via various episodes on his journey across the "heartlands" of northern England. Some wonderful photography and very funny performances from well-known stalwarts of UK television. Sheen is superb in the central role, despite looking at times like an Aardman animation.

Kate Rusby is a definite bonus, although more credit is due to her other half McCusker (who also gets a brief, but unannounced, appearance) for the background music. Somehow, however, Eric Bristow's tiny cameo seems more attuned to the feel of the film.

The film is symbolic rather than realistic: As others have pointed out, if the central character had happened to own a motorbike, rather than a moped, his journey would have taken a few hours, thereby denying him the chance of such magnificent spiritual growth. And in common with many films set in England, the place has been cleaned up a bit - there isn't a hoodie or McDonald's in sight.

But don't let that put you off. This is charming, skilfully made, funny and affecting stuff - exactly what a British film should be all about.

DO judge a DVD by its cover
I was sold by the striking and quirky cover of this DVD, and I was not disappointed at all. It really sums this great film up without words. It's a very warm, gentle, moving and uniquely British road movie, swapping the convertible for a Honda 50, the rebel for a mild mannered 'loser' and the Highway for the back roads to Blackpool. Great story, wonderful cast, some absolutely stunning cinematography and a fabulous soundtrack including a cameo from Kate Rusby make this an all round superb buy on DVD. It's a real blend of the best that British movies can offer, with all the quirkiness, style, humour, realism and emotion but without overdoing it in any area. The reversed road movie 'pull-away' at the end just rounds it off a treat and you are left with a smile on your face. Great movie.

In a nutshell...
this is a fine film. It deserves to be seen widely, yet i really want to keep it to myself as some kind of hidden treasure. Beautiful story, beautiful theme, beautiful soundtrack.

It's a slow burner, but packed full of charm. In a cynical world we need more films like this.