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
Phil Davis	...	Limo Driver
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 | rock band reunion | british | reference to uriah heep the band | reference to mott the hoople | 

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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 | Drama | Music | Romance

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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:

£329,727 (United Kingdom), 1 November 1998, Limited Release

Opening Weekend USA:

$102,971, 24 January 1999, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$477,903, 14 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

Some events in the band's history were inspired by actual events involving real-life bands: Brian's absence from the band resembles Syd Barrett's departure from Pink Floyd due to a drug-induced nervous breakdown; Beano's tardiness for a gig echoes that of Keith Moon, the notoriously erratic drummer for The Who. The character of Ray appears to be inspired in some part by David Lee Roth, famed front-man for Van Halen. Other bands, such as Deep Purple, have undergone lineup changes with various degrees of infighting and success.

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Goofs

In one of the last performances, Luke asks Tony what key they're in and Tony shouts "E and B." But the chords actually being played in that part of the song are A and D. Could be another band foul-up, but at this point in the film, things are supposed to be coming together.

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Quotes

Karen Knowles: This could be a great time to bring out some reissues, maybe even a box set.
Clive: Oh, listen to you, sweetie! 20 years ago you were Neil Gaydon's doormat.
Karen Knowles: Well, 10 years ago you were a tea boy at Virgin, Clive. Came to you first.
Clive: Only because I own their catalog.

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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 The Seventh Seal (1957)

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Soundtracks

SCREAM FREEDOM
Written by Mick Jones (as Jones), Marti Frederiksen (as Frederiksen) and Chris Difford (as Difford)
Performed by Strange Fruit
1998 London Records 90 Ltd.

User Reviews

Rock N' Roll

Still Crazy was certainly influenced by This Is Spinal Tap, and elements from that classic can be found all over the place, but the two should not be compared. You won't find the sharp satire of Spinal Tap in this movie; nor will you find the scope and heart of Almost Famous. Still Crazy is a small, sweet comedy in the vein of Brassed Off, The Commitments and The Full Monty, and it's highly recommended for anybody who enjoyed those movies and has any fondness towards the grandiose stadium rock of the 70's. Still Crazy is funny, fast-paced and heartwarming, and backed with some of the finest actors the UK has to offer, it's a fantastic piece of entertainment and one that's fun returning to over and over again. It's a bit slow in its first half, but by the ending it's irresistibly fun, thanks to the wonderful characters (every member of the band was well-developed as a believable and likable character) and the contagious soundtrack. A great, light-weight movie for fans of true rock n' roll.