Good Vibrations

1 October 2018

Good Vibrations 2012

• Director: Lisa Barros D’Sa and Glenn Leyburn
• Based on the novel: no
• Cast: Richard Dormer, Jodie Whittaker, Liam Cunningham, Dylan Moran, Adrian Dunbar, Karl Johnson, Ruth McCabe
• Personal “oh yeah him/her” reaction, i.e. have seen this actor in:
• Richard Dormer – Fortitude, Mrs Henderson Presents
• Jodie Whittaker – Doctor Who (soon!), Broadchurch, Adult Life Skills, Cranford, St Trinian’s 2
• Liam Cunningham – Doctor Who, Merlin, Hunger, Jude
• Dylan Moran – Decoy Bride, Tristram Shandy, Black Books, Shaun of the Dead, Notting Hill
• Adrian Dunbar – The Hollow Crown, Richard III, The Crying Game, My Left Foot
• Karl Johnson – Mr Turner, The Deep Blue Sea, Merlin, Small Island, Hot Fuzz, Copying Beethoven, Prick Up Your Ears, The Tempest, Rock Follies
• Ruth McCabe – Philomena, Inside I’m Dancing, Titanic Town, Takin’ Over the Asylum, My Left Foot
• Why? Jodie Whittaker
• Seen: 29 September 2018      

       ‘The Troubles’ is what it’s called in Northern Ireland.

       Terri (Dormer) grew up in those times. And with the music of the times. Now it’s the 70’s and The Troubles continue. Terri tries to steer clear of both Catholics and Protestants but it’s not easy. He meets Ruth (Whittaker) and they get married.

       He decides to open a record shop in the most bomb prone business street in Belfast. He does it but reggae, rockabilly, country, Pink Floyd and prog rock in a grungy upstairs shop do not spell success.

       Enter punk. Terri sees the light. He promises a local punk band to put out their record and sell it in his shop. He does, and becomes their manager and roadie.

       And the war goes on.

       This is based on a true story. Those of you who know your punk knew straight away that his band The Undertones made it big (biggish).

       Sadly, Whittaker is criminally wasted in this cliché role of the supportive-then-loses-patience wife, though she’s very good with what she’s given, and Dylan Moran scarcely makes an appearance.

       It’s an interesting film with the political conflicts and the dark undertones of violence in Belfast, but I had expected to care more about the characters. I’d expected a 5.

3 * of 5