Pirate Radio

PIRATE RADIO (2009)

Plot:

“Carl (Tom Sturridge) arrives on the pirate radio ship, Radio Rock, after being sent to stay with the ship's Captain, his godfather, Quentin (Bill Nighy), to hopefully set his life on a different track after being expelled from school. Here he meets Radio Rock's crew of ramshackle disc jockeys, led by The Count (Philip Seymour Hoffman), a buoyant rock-loving American, along with the suave and bawdy Dave (Nick Frost) and the naive but good hearted Simon (Chris O'Dowd). Also filling the airwaves is self proclaimed New Zealand "nut," Angus (Rhys Darby), the mysterious Midnight Mark (Tom Wisdom) and the even more mysterious, reclusive and downright disillusioned late-night DJ Smooth Bob (Ralph Brown). Serving as the ship's crew are the shy lesbian cook Felicity (Katherine Parkinson) and radio assistants, Harold (Ike Hamilton) and the appropriately nicknamed Thick Kevin (Tom Brooke).” –Courtesy of wikipedia.com

This film is about Radio Rock, a pirate radio station that was operating off the shores of England in the 60’s. It follows the lives of a tight-knit group of airwave usurpers that are bringing rock-n-roll to fans longing to absorb its auditory splendor. They essentially live the lives of rock stars, by playing the music of rock stars. The sub-story is more like an American Pie film: young man goes on great adventure to get laid. Now keep in mind, this film is “based” on a true story, however it is hardly a true story. The truthiness of the plot is: “radio stations that were unsanctioned by the government broadcasted from ships.” Though many of the characters were based off of ‘real-life’ DJs, it is still more fictional than anything.

So what is this film trying to say? They story essentially tells us that when you are passionate about something, and when you love something enough, you should be willing to die for it. It is a story of the few who are willing to stand up to a ruthless government to defend what they believe in. It is sort of a ‘less bloody’ V for Vendetta. The government viewed their dissent as a crime against the government, but a government is supposed to be representative of the people, and the film essentially stated that the majority of Brits were listening to Radio Rock. So it was up to the DJs of Radio Rock to stand up to “the man”.

This film, which like I said is mostly fiction, is definitely worth seeing in theatres. The visuals and the soundtrack are amazing, and the momentum of the story keeps you “tuned-in”. In a way, the young Carl is a representation of the audience: he is going to the ship and experiencing what the DJs are experiencing, for us. It is sort of an “imagine yourself in this situation” kind of experience. However, the American-Pie-esque-ness was a little annoying. What also bothered me (SPOILER ALERT?) was the Top Gun ending of the film. If you don’t remember how Top Gun ends, you will by the end of this film (talk to me Goose). The film, by the end, is inspiring and really makes you want to “stick it to the man” (and by “the man” I mean the FCC).

Trailer: