A Cock And Bull Story on DVD (2005)

SAI81 from Tonbridge [Highly rated reviewer] , 28/01/2006

An adaptation of Lawrence Sterne's The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy. Long described as unfilmable Tristram Shandy is a novel which takes the form of an autobiography by it's lead character, constant digressions mean it's also about the impossibility of writing the very book you are reading. Michael Winterbottom, never one to shirk a challenge or, as a film maker, slot into a pigeonhole has taken the novel and wisely not adapted it literally instead he has adapted its feeling. A Cock and Bull Story begins much like Winterbottom's 24 Hour Party People with Steve Coogan essaying the role of the main character while commenting on the action and seemingly controlling the film. Soon another level of post modernism is added as we pull back to see the film crew (including Jeremy Northam as 'Mark', who is pretty clearly Winterbottom) at work and from there, over the course of one night, we follow the rivalry between Steve Coogan and co-star Rob Brydon, the various ways in which it's possible to adapt the book and the behind the scenes relationships of Coogan, his wife (the ever excellent Kelly MacDonald) and the runner he's infatuated with (28 Days Later's Naomie Harris). It's probably this that's the most entertaining part of the film with a gloriously self mocking cameo from Gillian Anderson and canny performances from Coogan and Brydon obviously not entirely themselves but not playing grotesque enough that the illusion gets broken. One of the prennial joys of a Michael Winterbottom film is the presence of his extended company of players; regular Shirley Henderson is as effortlessly wonderful as ever in another small part (why is this woman not a star?) and other familliar faces pop up in almost every scene. Coogan's terrific, doing a sterling job as Tristram, Tristram's father Walter and as Himself but the film is stolen from under his nose by an irresistible turn from Rob Brydon. Brydon's Toby is the most entertaining character in the life of Tristram Shandy; a soldier who got an intimate part of his anatomy shot off and can't talk about it. It is though as himself that Brydon mines the films richest seam of comedy. Whether he's discussing the colour of his teeth with Coogan, impersonating Coogan, or simply providing barely noticable background dialogue there's scarely a moment he's on screen that you won't be laughing. The structure of the film may sound intimidating and hard to follow but it isn't if anything this is Michael Winterbottom at his most accessible, his most crowdpleasing and probably his best.

  36 out of 56 people found this review helpful

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James Lodge from Waterlooville, England , 10/07/2006

I'm a huge fan of both Coogan and Brydon. Inspired by their spontaneously funny interviews promoting this film, I gathered a few friends and went off to the big screen to view. WHAT A DISAPPOINTMENT. Laugh out loud funny? Mildy amusing in only two places does not warrant a comedy label. This is a protracted, painful and just plan boring movie. Half the party fell asleep and I was left feeling like an idiot for recommending such drivel. DONT WASTE YOUR TIME. This is overstuffed pompous drivel at its worst. AVOID.

  29 out of 43 people found this review helpful

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Ben Sanchez from Southampton, England , 31/01/2006

‘A Cock and Bull Story’ is both smart and ridiculously funny, making great use of Coogan and Brydon’s improvising skills, as the two leads bounce off each other. The behind–the-scenes parts of the film are almost like watching a documentary, and it is here that the script shines as the film-makers struggle with adapting the novel. There are countless hillarious scenes including Brydons impression of Coogan as Alan Partridge, and the Al Pacino impression competition which happens as the credits are rolling. Overall this is a brilliant piece of British comedy, a colourful mix of Extras and Pride and Prejudice, with a lot more wit and class than the latest Ben Stiller goof.

  23 out of 36 people found this review helpful

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Chris Bailey from Clacton, Essex , 08/02/2007

Being a big fan of many of the names in this picture I was really looking forward to watching this film. Unfortunately, I was rather disappointed. The story is bland and uninteresting and nothing really happens. I can see what Coogan and Brydon were trying to do with the film but unfortunately I don't think the script was quirky enough. This shouldn't be classified a comedy. More of an uninteresting attempt at a period drama/comedy. Avoid!

  15 out of 15 people found this review helpful

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A customer from kent , 24/08/2008

stay away from thia movie

  1 out of 1 person found this review helpful

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