Still Crazy (1998)

User Rating:

6.7/10   

Director:

Brian Gibson

Writers:

Dick Clement (written by) &
Ian La Frenais (written by)

Release Date:

22 January 1999 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Romance | Music

Tagline:

They were "Strange Fruit". Some called them the greatest rock band of the '70s. They haven't played together for 20 years. No wonder they're worried about their performance.

Plot:

"Strange Fruit" had everything that makes a legendary rockband: Money, Fame, Success, Groupies, a Singer who died of drugs and even a divine ending...

Plot Keywords:

Reunion | Tour | Concert Film | Reference To Jimi Hendrix | Fictional Band

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Golden Globes. Another 2 wins & 3 nominations

Cast

Stephen Rea	...	Tony Costello
Billy Connolly	...	Hughie
Jimmy Nail	...	Les Wickes
Timothy Spall	...	David 'Beano' Baggot
Bill Nighy	...	Ray Simms
Juliet Aubrey	...	Karen Knowles
Helena Bergström	...	Astrid Simms
Bruce Robinson	...	Brian Lovell
Hans Matheson	...	Luke Shand
Rachael Stirling	...	Clare Knowles
Phil Daniels	...	Neil Gaydon
Philip Davis	...	Limo Driver (as Phil Davis)
Frances Barber	...	Lady in Black
Zoë Ball	...	Zoë
Virginia Clay	...	Young Karen

Also Known As:

Todavía locos (Argentina) (video title) (Chile) (TV title) [es]
Ainda Muito Loucos (Brazil) [pt]
Les cinglés (Canada: French title) [fr]
Sempre Loucos (Portugal) (video title) [pt]
Siempre locos (Spain) [es]
Still Crazy: De retour pour mettre le feu (France) [fr]

MPAA:

Rated R for language, sexuality and drug content.

Runtime:

95 min | Argentina:100 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Canada:PG (Ontario) | Iceland:L | Australia:M | Belgium:KT | Canada:PG | France:U | Germany:12 | Netherlands:12 | Portugal:M/12 (video premiere) | Spain:13 | Sweden:7 | UK:15 | USA:R | Argentina:13 | Philippines:PG-13

Filming Locations:

Albert R. Broccoli 007 Stage, Pinewood Studios, Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire, England, UK

Company:

Columbia Pictures Corporation

Trivia:

Some events in the band's history were inspired by actual events involving real-life bands: Brian's absence from the band resembles Syd Barrett's departure from Pink Floyd due to a drug-induced nervous breakdown; Beano's tardiness for a gig echoes that of Keith Moon, the notoriously erratic drummer for The Who. The character of Ray appears to be inspired in some part by David Lee Roth, famed front-man for Van Halen. Other band such as Deep Purple have undergone lineup changes with various degrees of infighting and success.

Goofs:

Factual errors: During their Dutch tour, when Ray is being interviewed, we see a Dutch sign behind the band members which reads: "Verboden te parkeren" (No Parking). But the sign above the men's toilet next to the sign reads "Herren" which is German for "Men" instead of the Dutch word "Heren".

Quotes:

Hughie: It's like 'Night of the Living Dead Two'! I'm gonna get some of those Organ Donor cards!

Movie Connections:

References Night of the Living Dead (1968)

Soundtrack:

BIRD ON A WIRE

One of the best I've ever seen...

I found 'Still Crazy' to be marvelously entertaining, and not only to those of us who lived through that raucous era of late '60s, early '70s rock. My 15 year old daughter watches it with me every time I drag out the DVD (don't worry, it's only been three times) and she loves it too.

It is a truly loving, poignant and hilarious nod to the era, and every actor hits his/her notes with perfection. It was my first introduction to Bill Nighy and I am glad his somewhat similar turn in 'Love Actually' brought him more attention. Bruce Robinson was incredible as Brian, bringing real life to what could have been a caricature of the drug-damaged rocker stereotype. It was interesting to see that Robinson has made quite a name for himself as a writer.

I live in Sherman Oaks, California, and after the first time I saw the movie I bumped into Billy Connolly at the local mall (he lived here at the time) and told him it was one of my five favorite films of all time. He invited me to sit down at the food court with him and we discussed the movie for some time. We even talked of the idea of an American-oriented remake before wisely dismissing that. Why mess with the original?

My only problem with 'Still Crazy' is that it wasn't hugely popular in theaters and too many people have missed out on a wonderful experience.