I Bet You Didn't See... The Boat That Rocked
- ibetyoudidntsee
- 9 hours ago
- 2 min read
England in the 1960's was awash in cultural revolution. It was literally the era of sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll. Music was one of these revolutions leading the charge. It was not everyone's "cup of tea". Rock music was prohibited, with the government preferring classical or jazz music. Groups of DJs started setting up offshore, anchoring in old ships just out of reach of the British law, and broadcasting rock music 24 hours a day. One of the most famous of these "pirate" radio stations was Radio Caroline.
The Boat That Rocked is set in 1966, deep into the cultural revolution. Radio Rock is anchored just offshore, broadcasting all day, everyday. The crew of DJs live a joyful lifestyle, having fans visit, or heading to the mainland and partying.
Our protagonist, Carl (Tom Sturridge), arrives on the Radio Rock ship, sent their by his mother (Emma Thompson) after being expelled from school. He learns the cavalier life of the DJs, learning about his mother and his family, as well as making new friends and a new love.
Meanwhile, a British Government Minister (Kenneth Branagh) is determined to shut down pirate radio for good. Using all his resources, his assistant Twatt (Jack Davenport), the fight tooth-and-nail in their incredibly upper-class British manner.
Aboard the Radio Rock boat, life goes on as they work around the limits imposed on them. DJ rivalries build, romances blossom and idiots are revealed to themselves.
Two American DJs "The Count" (Philip Seymour Hoffman) and Gavin (Rhys Ifans) take each other on in an excessive game of chicken. Carl chases after Marianne (Talulah Riley) and we learn the truth behind Felicity (Katherine Parkinson) the only woman permitted to live on the boat.
With a fantastic, 60-song soundtrack and a dynamic cast that further includes Bill Nighy, Nick Frost, Rhys Derby, Chris O'Dowd and Gemma Arterton, The Boat That Rocked is a fun, cheeky, daft picture that is only ever enjoyable. The DJs are a bunch of kids having dramas and taking it too far to then just say sorry and move on.
It is one of my favourites, so it gets a very high rating! Definitely one to watch!
Directed by: Richard Curtis
Starring: Tom Sturridge, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Bill Nighy, Rhys Ifans, Nick Frost, Katherine Parkinson, Talulah Riley, Jack Davenport
Release Date: 1 April 2009
Rating: 9/10
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