Review of A Cock and Bull Story (2005) by Aarrun M — 23 May 2008

This very clever movie attempts to adapt a famously unfilmable novel by making its characters actors on the set of a movie adaptation of the novel. Steve Coogan plays himself, playing Tristram Shandy and his father Walter in the film within the film.

By inter-cutting between the scenes being filmed and the drama behind the scenes, the filmmakers are able to insert into the movie all of the elements that their characters point out are missing from the novel--such as a tender moment between father and newborn son and a love relationship for the male lead.

My one complaint is that I would have liked to have seen more scenes from the film within the film; the bits that we do see are an enticing tease of the novel's unique (and remarkably funny) narration, but they left me wanting more.

At the same time, though, they've inspired me to read the book, which is possibly the best compliment I can give any movie adaptation.