Thoroughly enjoyable but.. (spoilers?)
Enjoyed it a lot but I was surprised at how dark (theme of aging, etc) it was (or was I reading more into it?). Would watch it another time for sure..
I liked it too.
At the beginning of the film, the viewer just doesn't get why Steve won't grow up, go to Misha, and have a real relationship. It seems like he's willfully stuck in a rut. But at the end, we realize -- he's actually doing the more responsible thing by staying in the same country as his kids. Despite all the jokes about winning an award vs. having a sick child, he in fact would give up anything for them, including a promising TV series and the woman he loves.
I only know Steve Coogan from "24 Hour Party People" and "Coffee & Cigarettes" and had never heard of Rob Brydon before, so I'm sure there's a world of references and British in-jokes I'm missing out on (Allan Partridge and the man in the box?). But I still thought it was a funny, poignant, really good film.
Allan Partridge and the man in the box are to each man their 'hit single' as it were. It's what they've gained most of their notoreity for in a sense and we see Brydon enthusiastically embracing it yet Coogan seems a little ashamed that he doesn't have a more well-rounded career and is mostly only known for Alan Partridge. This even goes to the extent of Coogan trying to replicate the small man voice while on his own despite it being a far more superficial talent than the character Coogan has created in Alan Partridge. It's a really lovely and touching and meaningful subplot to add to what could have otherwise simply been fluff - albeit enjoyable fluff - without it. It is a quite lovely miniseries with a lot of heart and a lot of joy but still touches on the very real problems with self-esteem we all go through.
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