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Still Crazy

Actor(s): Stephen Rea, Billy Connolly, Jimmy Nail, Timothy Spall, Bill Nighy
Director(s): Brian Gibson
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Movie Details

MPAA Rating: R
Content Advisory: Adult Situations, Not For Children, Profanity, Substance Abuse, Sexual Situations
Movie Release: 1998
DVD Release: 06/29/1999
Format: DVD - Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV,Pan and Scan
Audio Tracks: English, Spanish
Subtitles: English, Korean, Spanish, Thai
SwapaDVD Credits: 1
Number of Discs: 1
Run Time: 1 hrs 37 mins
Studio: Columbia TriStar
Total Copies: 1
Genres: Comedy, Road Movie, Rock Musical, Showbiz Comedy

DVD Synopsis

Still Crazy is a film that looks back at the "rock band" era of the 1970s. Brian Gibson, who has directed musical biographies on Josephine Baker and Tina Turner, sets his narrative on a rock group, Strange Fruit, who are attempting a comeback twenty years after a bolt of lightening literally ended their career in the late 1970's. When keyboard player Tony (Stephan Rea) runs into the son of their old festival promoter, he gets the idea he could perhaps bring the aging musicians together for a revival. He goes off to search for Karen (Juliet Aubre), the band's Girl Friday and often the butt of their various ego trips. Karen, who now lives alone with her daughter, thinks it's a great idea and they set off to locate the other members. Beano (Timothy Spall), the drummer, has barricaded himself away in a trailer in his mother's garden for fear of being caught by the taxman. Ray (Bill Nighy), the lead singer, lives in a luxurious country house (beyond his means) with his second wife; he's still in the music business and has released a solo record. Les (Jimmy Nail), a great bass guitarist, is happily married, and his only regret is that his music never found the following he would have liked. As for ex-roadie Hughie (Billy Connolly), the Fruits were always his boys, and he's ready to give up his stall at Camden market and follow the dream. He would also love to see guitarist Brian again, but Brian is nowhere to be found. Karen decides to hire a much younger musician, Luke, to replace him. The re-formed band go to Holland to play a few clubs on a warm-up tour. However, the youngest member of the band is stealing the show, particularly with the members of the opposite sex. Despite efforts to stay calm and professional, the band is falling into the old routine of bickering day by day as they get close to the big reunion concert. Still Crazy was screened as part of the Panorama during the 49th International Berlin Film Festival, 1999. ~ G�n�l D�nmez-Colin, All Movie Guide

Actors

Stephen Rea - Tony Costello
Billy Connolly - Hughie
Jimmy Nail - Les Wickes
Timothy Spall - David Baggot
Bill Nighy - Ray Simms
Juliet Aubrey - Karen Knowles

Editorial Review of DVD

Fans of Spinal Tap style mocumentary comedies are sure to enjoy this release from Columbia/TriStar. Viewable in either it's original 1.85:1 widescreen aspect ratio or 1.33:1 pan-and-scan, this release also offers closed-captioned English Dolby Digital 5.1 and Surround audio in addition to alternate Spanish and Portuguese Dolby Digital Stereo options. In addition to optional English, Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, Korean and Thai subtitles, this disc also offers a making-of featurette, cast and crew filmographies, a theatrical trailer and production notes. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

Member Movie Reviews

S A A. (Learned2Heal) wrote on 11/10/2008...

This is officially one of my top 5 favorite movies. The story is awesome about a once-famous rock band that wants to reunite for a comeback 20 years after they split up.

Although the storyline is not exactly full of surprises, it is so well presented, the characters so well fleshed out, that you just feel like you're right there on that road trip with them and you can feel all the seething tensions, angst and frustrations they are going through, as well as the camaraderie, the underlying affection and the history that holds these people together. This movie is extremely well written and often gut splitingly funny.

All the actors are fantastic. Bill Nighy is as entertaining as ever. In fact, he got his role for "Love Actually" on the strength of his previous performance in this movie. He learned how to sing for this movie and does all his songs himself. Quite an impressive voice too... Jimmy Nail is an actual rock singer and has a voice that comes directly from heaven. Stephen Rea puts in a top-notch performance and Timothy Spall is really funny as the drummer. Billy Connolly as the band's "Road Dog" and the narrator of the whole tale, adds lots of color to the story with his wonderful Scottish brogue, his amusing, wise insights and his ever so lively and interesting facial features.

Bruce Robinson, who plays the long lost Brian, puts in the most amazing performance I have ever seen. In one scene, he conveys a host of complex emotions and thoughts with just body language and facial expressions. I can't believe this man does not appear in more movies than he did. That is sacrilege, pure and simple! What a waste of talent! This man can make Brando pale in comparison.

If you look this movie up on IMDB.com, you will see that it has quite a cult following. The reviews are not your usual "yeah, I saw it... it was about so-and-so, doing this that and the other thing. Yeah, I enjoyed it, it was OK..." Instead, it's more along the lines of: "I first got the VHS of this movie and wore it out from watching it too often in the first two weeks or so. Had to get the DVD. And then, of course, I had to buy the soundtrack too. This movie is going to drive me crazy. I keep watching it over and over again." If the reviews don't hook you, the message boards will (just scroll down to the bottom of the page). I promise.

The sound track of this movie is beyond awesome. They are all original songs made just for this movie and the quality of the composing and the lyrics are unbelievable! Makes me very frustrated to know that Strange Fruit is just a fictional band and there are no other songs from them. Bummer!

The very best part of the movie is the ending. It is gut-wrenchingly beautiful and will surely make you cry for joy, if you're not made of stone.

I just received my second DVD from this site, because I wanted a pristine one (got it!), because the first one had some surface scratches. And - you guessed it! - I also got the soundtrack CD. Right here on Swap-a-CD too! What luck!

This movie is one of those "can't get enough" kind of movies that just gets better with every new viewing. Don't miss out on this, if you can help it.