Review of A Cock and Bull Story (2005) by Jeff H — 18 Jun 2008

This meta-film takes the experimental, self-reflexive, comedic spirit of Laurence Sterne's novel and runs with it in most brilliant fashion. Steve Coogan is Tristram Shandy and Tristram Shandy is Steve Coogan: in fine, self-deprecating form, he plays both Coogan the actor and Shandy his character in the film adaptation of the novel.

Both film and film-within-a-film reflect book: Shandy's temporary disappearance from his own story is mirrored by Coogan the actor's from his own film; the novel's famous blank page is cinematized with a few seconds of blank screen; the film lulls you into a false sense of security, and then quickly yanks you out of it, just like the novel.

Brimming with energy and postmodern ideas, Tristram Shandy is a blast.