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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Plot Keywords:

drama teacher | teacher | summer | student | school | 

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Genres:

Drama | Music

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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, Lipsync Productions, Mulligan and Nesbitt Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

110 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Soundtracks

"Cello Song"
Written by Nick Drake
Performed by Tom Rhys Harries and The Hunky Dory Orchestra

User Reviews

Minnie Stardust

I usually despise musicals. I cringe at the sight of teenagers wearing pasted-on smiles, belting out show tunes whilst mid-conversation with stern authority figures. Yet Marc Evans' Hunky Dory seeks to counter the contrivance of High School Musical and Glee, instead presenting us with a naturalistic drama that explores the lives of a dreamless bunch of kids in pre-Thatcher South Wales. Despite facing their last summer holiday before being destined for mediocrity, free-spirited drama teacher Vivienne May (Minnie Driver) wants her class to put on an end of year production of The Tempest "that William Shakespeare and David Bowie would be proud of" in order to give them some lasting hope of achievement.

The film follows the cast as they seek to produce a "Shakespearean concept rock opera", despite disapproval from conservative teachers, prejudiced rugby coaches and skinhead relatives. The youngsters' talents shine through, with the 1976 backdrop meaning ensemble performances of the likes of David Bowie, Nick Drake, ELO and The Beach Boys. There is a strong feel-good vibe to Hunky Dory, which dances between comedic musical and nostalgic drama with some success. Several character arcs map the cast's progression through the stereotypical hurdles of adolescent strife – but all's well by opening night, when the class perform relatively unscathed.

However, there is a great failing in Hunky Dory due to its poverty of originality. The setting and story borrow heavily from Richard Linklater's Dazed and Confused and School of Rock, whilst the students' individual stories aren't given time to develop, and so seem to be pulled straight from Skins and Cemetery Junction. Perhaps Marc Evans bit off more than he could chew here. I imagine that Hunky Dory would play out quite well as a TV mini-series, and perhaps the predictable plot and two-dimensional characters may simply be a result of it being confined to 110 minutes. Nonetheless, the film is an easy watch, especially the final rendition of Life On Mars?, which is performed impeccably. Expect some warm chuckles in the hazy Welsh sunshine, but not riotous laughs. Hunky Dory won't ever have you on the edge of your seat, but its pleasant enough to keep you in it.