Still Crazy (1998)

"Strange Fruit" had everything that makes a legendary rockband: Money, Fame, Success, Groupies, a Singer who died of drugs and even a divine ending, when lightning struck the stage during ... See full summary »

Director:

Brian Gibson

Writers:

Dick Clement, Ian La Frenais

Stars:

Stephen Rea, Billy Connolly, Jimmy Nail

Nominated for 2 Golden Globes. Another 2 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Stephen Rea	...	Tony Costello
Billy Connolly	...	Hughie
Jimmy Nail	...	Les Wickes
Timothy Spall	...	David 'Beano' Baggot
Bill Nighy	...	Ray Simms
Juliet Aubrey	...	Karen Knowles
Helena Bergström	...	Astrid Simms
Bruce Robinson	...	Brian Lovell
Hans Matheson	...	Luke Shand
Rachael Stirling	...	Clare Knowles
Phil Daniels	...	Neil Gaydon
Philip Davis	...	Limo Driver (as Phil Davis)
Frances Barber	...	Lady in Black
Zoë Ball	...	Zoë
Virginia Clay	...	Young Karen

Storyline

"Strange Fruit" had everything that makes a legendary rockband: Money, Fame, Success, Groupies, a Singer who died of drugs and even a divine ending, when lightning struck the stage during an open-air. Twenty years later, all band members are minding their own businesses, the idea of a band reunion is brought up by, well, public request. Tony, the former keyboard player, sets out only to find his former friends working as a roofer, a gardener and a hotel clerk. They all became rather everyday people, married or still single, they definitely are not wild and crazy anymore. But with the help of former manager Karen, who is still dreaming of Brian, the apparently deceased lead guitarist, they all, old, fat and wrinkled as they are, try to catch that spirit again.

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Plot Keywords:

reunion | tour | condom machine | drowning | stalker | 

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Taglines:

When the music still matters and the flame still burns, you're never too old to rock n roll

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Genres:

Comedy | Romance | Music

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language, sexuality and drug content

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 January 1999 (USA)

Also Known As:

Todavía locos

Filming Locations:

Albert R. Broccoli 007 Stage, Pinewood Studios, Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire, England, UK

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$102,971 (USA) (22 January 1999)

Gross:

$477,903 (USA) (12 February 1999)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures Corporation, Marmot Tandy Productions, The Greenlight Fund

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The "Druid Circle" they visit actually a real life stone circle in the village of Avebury. The circle is known as "Avebury Circle" and the pub they visit in the film is still there and operating.

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Goofs

On their way from Groningen to Antwerp the band is passing by some windmills in some typical 'polder' landscape. That sort of landscape with that sort of windmills can not be encountered anywhere along that route, while the possibility of the band having terribly strayed off, gets contradicted by the fact that the two hitchhikers are also heading for Antwerp.

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Quotes

Karen Knowles: [after almost running Beano over as he runs from the tax man] Beano!
Beano: What the fuck are you doing here?
Tony Costello: How do you feel about getting the Fruits together again, Beano?
Beano: Not a moment too soon, my old son!

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Crazy Credits

At the end of the credits, voices are heard of members of Strange Fruit playing the Bands-with-body-parts-in-their-name game.

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Connections

References Apocalypse Now (1979)

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Soundtracks

"DANGEROUS THINGS"
Written by Langer / Difford
Performed by Strange Fruit
1998 London Records 90 Ltd.

User Reviews

Hilarious & Stand-Out Performances Rock This Movie

This movie is tremendous for uplifting the Spirits.

Every time I watch it, I see & hear funny little things that I missed before.

The soundtrack is unbelievable. Mick Jones (Foreigner) and Chris Difford (Squeeze) penned the songs, making Strange Fruit the best thing that ever hit today's music scene.

Unfortunately, Strange Fruit are a strictly fictitional washed up '60's to 70's band that were never good to begin with, due to drug use and inner fighting. One wonders what might have been, while listening to their fanatstic soundtrack.

The Fruit draw inspiration from The Rolling Stones, Deep Purple, David Bowie, and The Who.

Each member of Fruit are quite memorable. Stephen Rea stars as down-and-dead-broke Tony Costello, who is asked by a festival promoter to reunite his band for a reunion tour, with hopes of reaping monetary benefits. Costello haply approaches ex-roadie Karen Knowles, played by Juliet Aubrey, to help him rekindle the flame of a dream long past.

Juliet gathers up the bitter Jimmy Nail (Les Wickes), blundering Timothy Spall (David 'Beano' Baggot), and extravagantly glamouresque Ray Simms (Bill Nighy). Tumbling in is another ex-roadie, the hippy-toker-jokester Hughie (Billy Connolly), who never let the flame burn out.

As Juliet searches for the last member of their motley band, the elusive guitarist-songwriter Brian Lovell (played by the brooding Bruce Robinson), the reunited members squabble, just like old times, fighting over each others' rusty talent.

The band is then given the chance to do a small Dutch tour, to prepare for the festival. With young Hendrix-like Luke Shand (Hans Matheson) taking the place of Lovell, the crew hits the road. The sparks fly as their memories flame forward, threatening to burn their unfinished goals...

Be prepared to laugh, sing, cheer, and cry, as these memorable characters etch themselves back into your hearts...