Review of Peter's Friends (1992) by Eliot N — 12 Feb 2009

As Peter said in response to the Alsatian joke, "Why?" The cast are wonderful, but the movie itself is certainly less so. It's rather painful to see comedic (and dramatic) greats such as Fry, Laurie, Thompson, and Slattery in this soap opera-ish film; it's a waste of their talent.

Gloom is all over this film "like a pissed fish, darling". The characters must navigate dead children, dead parents, broken marriages, scandalous accusations, ruined careers, addictions of various sorts, and being HIV+ in the era when it was a veritable death sentence. There are some small glimpses of hope, but they're few and far between, and almost a bit contrived. I do think the film could have been good if it weren't so scattered and almost Springer-esque in its majestical misery.

The soundtrack further conspires against what, theoretically, could have been a decent film. Peter obviously spoke of the the choruses, not the cleavage thrust so awkwardly in front of him, when he shouted "No, no, please, please, keep that away!".

"It's a party, for god's sake!" So, do try to enjoy Peter's Friends. They're not very friendly, but they're not the worst.

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That said, I've seen this movie several times, and it's somewhat enjoyable. I particularly love the scene between Fry and Thompson, and Thompson's tearful line "He said he wasn't in the vagina business." Apparently she's an accomplished actor, but this is the first I saw of her and that's how I'll always remember her. Best line in a film ever, I think.

Also I've been told that Richard Briers (of Tom Good fame) makes a brief appearance as Peter's father, but I haven't been able to spot it. It's a shame, as I think he's a fine actor.