Saturday Night at the Movies

A new thing here at the Palace. An opportunity to sound off about my favourite films.

This week it's the amazing Britflick, The Full Monty. Struggling to survive in depressed Sheffield, six unemployed steelworkers make the decision to become strippers to raise some cash. These boys decide, for one night only, to go 'The Full Monty'.

With a brilliant script which illustrates the indomitable spirit of the British enforced 'dole worker', and a stunning soundtrack including Irene Cara and Tom Jones, this is one of my all-time favourite movies.
Leading the tribe is Gaz, played by the adorable and gifted Robert Carlyle. Gaz's best friend is Dave, a wonderful characterisation by the irresistable Mark Addy. Supported by great British actors Tom Wilkinson and Paul Barber, and newcomers Steve Huison and Hugo Speer, these six men make an ordinary film extraordinary. Best bit - probably be a runaway vote for the scene in the dole office, when the music comes on the radio and all the lads in the queue begin dancing.

Unashamedly a British film, although made with US money (Fox, no less!) [snigger], this is one of those few British films that a) uses actual British actors and b) makes you proud to be British, not hiding behind the sofa with embarrassment like the Bridget Jones or Love Actually genre.

cq