r-panting Reviews (2)

Only Fools and Horses (1981–2003)

One of the best

[21 April 2005]

This truly is the greatest comedy to hit the screens in the UK. Some of moments of comic genius written by creator John Sullivan are on a completely different level to anything else seen on British TV. Yes, you can talk about Del falling through the bar, and yes you can talk about the blow up sex dolls. They are classic moments, but there are so many hugely funny scenes that are so advanced, it really is amazing how JS thought of them. For example, my personal favourite is in the episode Heroes and Villains when Del Boy and Rodney go to a publican's ball dressed as Batman and Robin - a good idea for a fancy dress party. But then comes a catalogue of comic brilliance. Firstly, (already dressed in their outfits) the van breaks down in the middle of Peckham. DB and R do a runner and scamper through Peckham only to confront a group of muggers. The muggers leave their intended victim convinced it's the real Batman and Robin! Then comes Rodney's wonderful clench fist (ala Robin) before shouting to Del "Let's go" - in my opinion it's the perfect line and one of British comedy's greatest moments. And to top it off, they finally get to the ball only to find the landlord has 24 hours earlier died. Everyone is dressed in their funeral outfits except for our 'caped crusaders' who stand out like a sore thumb.

John Sullivan's achievements of rattling up 25m viewers is fully justified. Not only does he produce perfect comedy, but he couples that with real drama such as the death of Grandad, Cassie's miscarriage, and Rodney's wedding.

We have grown up with the Trotters - and we have died with them in some cases. But the true brilliance of David Jason, Nick Lyndhurst, Buster Merryfield and of course John Sullivan will live on.

Can I give it 11/10?

Clockwise (1986)

Clockwise

[9/10 · 26 January 2005]

After watching bits and pieces of this film on a number of occasions, I finally sat down and watched this movie, and I have to say it was wonderful. As someone who was born in the early-80s, much of the decade remains a blur to me, but the mix of a Grange Hill-style school and a typically active Cleese performance for me, makes this a classic British comedy and helps to illustrate the world I grew up in. From the moment go, pupils and passers-by appear to hate Cleese and when finally some love comes his way in the form of Pat, he is quick to throw it back in her face and drive her (literally!) to insanity inside a typically drab car! The plot - which sees Cleese race against time to get to Norwich - is very on edge in a British kind of way. It 's not on edge in terms of a film like Speed or Lethal Weapon, but its on edge in a format that only a British film could be - the fact that a silly meeting appears to mean the world to this man. A great production, which should receive the same recognition as A Fish Called Wanda.