Review of Spike Island (2012) by Gary E — 29 Jun 2013

So I was never really a "Baggy" but I guess I kind of flirted with the "Madchester" scene and did really like the Stone Roses and other groups of the time. The adoration of for this band by the fans and the music scene that they evolved out of in the Manchester of the late 80s and early 90s is the backdrop to this coming-of-age drama.

It follows "Tits" and his mates as they cope with a series of life changing events over a weekend leading up to the legendary Spike Island concert that the Stone Roses headlined in 1990. In all honesty, there's not a huge amount in the film plot that is original and there've been plenty of these kind of teen comedy/romance/kitchen sink dramas before.

There's a lot of swearing, a fair amount of drug taking and a load of music. We have some fairly recognisable characters and not many surprises. Having said that, I did really enjoy what is a movie which obviously has a great deal of warmth and affection for an era and sub-culture that, for a while was hugely important and influential.

There's a great cast and the lively direction gets the best out of them. The whole effort has a great deal of energy and there are some fantastic scenes in the murky music venues and festivals of the time.

Indeed I have seldom seen such venues better recreated than here where they have a genuine vibe and energy. If you don't like the music, you're not going to like the film as it really is a huge driver to the plot.

However, if you were interested in the popular culture of the era, then for nostalgia value alone, Spike Island is worth a look.