Review of Brassed Off (1996) by Aliya D — 01 Jul 2008
Brassed Off is a political comment on Margaret Thatcher's government. It is a film that hides its political cheek in between the sheets of music played by the real Grimelythorpe Colliary Band. Pete Postlethwaite is brilliant as Danny; Tara Fitzgerald's understated performance as Gloria, the only female member of the band, gives her character a sense of integrity and honor that could easily have been overlooked in favor of more "marketable" characteristics.
The rest of the cast is remarkable. Particularly notable is Stephen Tompkinson as Phil, Danny's son, whose descent into abject depression seems to mirror the daily descent into the black hole of the coal mine - dark, dirty, and dangerous.
I liked this movie far better than I thought I would when I saw the cover of the DVD. This is less a romance than an examination of many lives made complete - by music, by the pursuit of beauty and grace, by focused cooperation.
This review of Brassed Off (1996) was written by Aliya D on 01 Jul 2008.
Brassed Off has generally received positive reviews.
Was this review helpful?
