Hunky Dory (2011)

In the heat of the summer of 1976, drama teacher Vivienne fights sweltering heat and general teenage apathy to put on an end-of-term version of Shakespeare's The Tempest.

Director:

Marc Evans

Writer:

Laurence Coriat

Stars:

Minnie Driver, Aled Pugh, Kristian Gwilliam

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Minnie Driver	...	Vivienne
Aneurin Barnard	...	Davey
Danielle Branch	...	Stella
Robert Pugh	...	Headmaster
Haydn Gwynne	...	Mrs. Valentine
Steve Speirs	...	Mr. Cafferty
Kimberley Nixon	...	Vicki Munro
Aled Pugh	...	Tim
Julia Perez	...	Sylvie
George MacKay	...	Jake Zeppi
Kristian Gwilliam	...	Hoople - Andy Dixon
Adam Byard	...	Lewis Munro
Sam Pulsford	...	Angus
Darren Evans	...	Kenny Loder
Kayleigh Bennett	...	Dena Davies

Storyline

In the heat of the summer of 1976, keen drama teacher Vivienne fights sweltering heat and general teenage apathy to put on an end of year music version of Shakespeare's The Tempest. To engage her students, she uses hits of the time, which will be performed by a fresh young cast led by rising star Aneurin Barnard.

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 March 2013 (USA)

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$2,695 (USA) (29 March 2013)

Gross:

$19,041 (USA) (3 May 2013)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Aegis Film Fund, Mulligan and Nesbitt Productions, Prescience

Technical Specs

Runtime:

110 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Soundtracks

"Strange Magic"
Written by Electric Light Orchestra
Performed by Danielle Branch

User Reviews

Space Oddity

Set in 1976 Swansea, "Hunky Dory" follows charismatic drama teacher Viv (Minnie Driver) as she attempts to stage a rock-opera version of Shakespeare's "The Tempest", set on Mars. Predictably, the play serves as a catalyst to examine and solve some of the students' problems, such as broken families and burgeoning homosexuality, and as a point of confrontation between liberal Viv and other sterner and more classically minded teachers.

What the "Freedom Writers", cum "Glee", cum "School of Rock" plot lacks in originality is more than made up for by the stellar ensemble cast. Driver provides a strong, believable lead performance, supported by the frankly superb rising star Aneurin Barnard, as troubled student Davey, and backed by a surprisingly good cast of relatively unknown young actors.

Without a doubt, the best thing about "Hunky Dory" is the great soundtrack, which is performed entirely by the talented, young cast. The film features a staggering selection of classic 1970s rock artists, such as Pink Floyd, The Who, The Beach Boys, with an emphasis on David Bowie, whose album the film takes its title from.

Overall, "Hunky Dory" is a film that would appeal to the younger "Glee-generation", had it not been awkwardly clashing with a classic rock soundtrack, and a more adult storyline. Nonetheless, it is an entertaining, if schmaltzy and clichéd, film.