Festival details
| Format: | 18 DVD |
|---|---|
| Starring: | Raquel Cassidy, Daniela Nardini, Daniela Nardini, Amelia Bullmore, Lyndsey Marshal, Stephen Mangan, Lyndsey Marshal |
| Director: | Annie Griffin |
| Genre: | Comedy - British, General |
| Studio: | PATHE DISTRIBUTION |
| Name | Discs | |
|---|---|---|
Festival |
18 Feature |
DVD Information
| Run time: | 1 hour 47 minutes |
|---|---|
| Rental release: | 28 Nov 2005 |
| Main languages: | English, English Audio Description |
Write your own review
Most helpful review
Festival
By SAI81 (360 reviews) from Tonbridge , 20 Aug 2005[Highly rated reviewer]
Rubbish? No. Terrible? No. Godawful? Not strong enough. I am in an odd position, I'm almost at a loss for the words to encompass just how jaw-slackeningly astoundingly dreadful Festival really is. The film follows, at a conservative estimate, 704 characters (comedians, journalists acotrs etc) through one Edinburgh festival. You'd think this would be fun, a film about the run up to a comedy award, written and directed by the creator of acclaimed Channel 4 comedy The Book Group. That, at least, is the trap I fell in. Festival is allegedly a comedy so here's the big problem: Schindlers List had more laughs. The stand up routines we have to endure as judges watch in order to put together an award shortlist are so shoddy and out of date they'd struggle to pass muster at a local pub's new talent night in 1990. To listen to the drivel these horribly unfunny characters spout and then hear them acclaimed as great comics is laughable (and NOT in the way Annie Griffin wants it to be). The other productions we watch are just as terrible, the absolute nadir being a shockingly pretentious and banal show by three American actors who are shockingly pretentious and banal every time they are on screen and, like everyone else in the film, you'll want to kill after five seconds in their company. Really, I understand that Griffin is saying 'look at what rubbish gets celebrated here' but GOD would it have hurt to have ONE watchable act in the whole sodding thing? It's a shame Festival is so unremittimgly horrid in every way because at least one person in it deserves better. Daniella Nardini is a fine actress (though you'd never spot it from this) she was terrific in This Life and really needs to pick better films. Annie Griffin Directs, if possible, with less flair and ability than she writes. It's an ugly film and feels for all the world like it's been put together by some destined-to-fail film students as a dare. So; avoid Festival, by any and all means possible. It really is THAT bad.- Was this review helpful to you?
- (19) Yes |
- No (7)
All reviews
(54)Judging by the comments it's clearly a divisive film; I was a big fan
By a customer , 13 Feb 2012I think many of the comments about this film are unfair. I suppose I have two major influences that would probably make me like this more than some: I am a huge fan of Annie Griffin's TV series, 'The Book Group' and I have lived in Edinburgh. The style of comedy is typically hers, downplayed, very funny, often dark and often incidental through asides that characters say during conversations. If you like obvious humour, this may well not be for you. If you'd like a melting pot of clever, well-observed characters and a growing set of story lines that simmer away nicely, then this will be well received. I would highly recommend it, and I've bought the DVD.- Was this review helpful to you?
- (0) Yes |
- No (0)
Watchable, but not brilliant
By a customer , 21 Nov 2011I love the work of Stephen Mangan and Chris O'Dowd so this seemed perfect for me. I'm glad I watched it, I wanted to see it through to the end but I'm not sure I'd recommend it.- Was this review helpful to you?
- (0) Yes |
- No (0)
Worth a Look
By a customer from Brighton , 17 Nov 2008You know, I think the other reviewers have been a little harsh about this movie. It's not as convincing a fly-on-the-wall mockumentary as, say, 'Best in Show', nor is as polished as 'Bedrooms & Hallways' in the way it gently teases its characters actorly self-indulgence. (I'd highly recommend both movies).
But still it does have some lovely moments - a nurse telling a patient that she's 'self taught in ho-listic nursing' and that she's going to do some laying-on of hands and low-chanting, or the Canadian troupe of actors' producing a rather affecting performance quite by accident - that will have more than a ring of truth to anyone who's worked on the inside!
So, I'd recommend a wet Sunday afternoon or midweek viewing for some lighthearted, entertaining fun!- Was this review helpful to you?
- (0) Yes |
- No (0)
This DVD made me laugh.
By a customer from England , 08 Aug 2008Twice.
Briefly.
In the 1:45 it lasted.
Including the bonus extras.
By the way, Lovefilm sent a strictly 'non-rental' copy.- Was this review helpful to you?
- (0) Yes |
- No (0)
Customer Review
By a customer from UK , 23 Jun 2008and if you're looking for a comedy film you won't get it.
Gut wrenchingly awful people feasting on each others weaknesses - must be showbiz
I haven't been to the fringe (which the film's about, the festival is not the same thing) for 20 years but the slide had started then - aided by french and saunders, alexi sayle and a lot of superstar comedian faces you would recognise.
The cultural imperialist hordes of london are well caught in this fine black comedy, it's well acted with Nardini doing her REAL thing to excellent effect. Raquel Cassidy is perfectly gritty and neurotic, Steve Mangan flexes his 'Secretan is a grade one ahole persona' (this bloke does insincere like a secretary of state)
Watch it if you fancy laughing AT comedians rather than with them.- Was this review helpful to you?
- (0) Yes |
- No (0)
