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:

These middle-aged men won't let you down!

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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, 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 songs in the film were written by notable musicians including Mick Jones (Foreigner) and Jeff Lynne (Electric Light Orchestra).

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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

Ray Simms: I can see you Brian, so clearly, do you have a message?
Brian Lovell: Got a gig on Saturday man.
Ray Simms: Wha-what?

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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

ALL OVER THE WORLD
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

More Fruit please

Hello, I was alanrickmaniac. I'm a Still Crazy-holic. It was just another movie I watched partly on TV. Then I had to get the video tape to finally find out how it ends. Then I wanted the DVD, because the tape showed first signs of decay after a few weeks. After the DVD I had to lay my hands on the soundtrack. Then on several film posters and the film script. Right now it has become that worse that I try to push other people into addiction with my website and Still Crazy parties.

How could that happen? What drove me into addiction?

OK, it's one of those funny but somehow sad and melancholic intelligent comedies like only the British can produce.

Alright, the movie is worlds apart from stuff like ''This Is Spinal Tap'', because of the characters, that aren't childish or ultra cool, but real. This is a story about men getting older, too. A story about men getting along with each other. Or don't. It contains some of the best actors possible. Tim Spall. Stephen Rea. Bruce Robinson. Jimmy Nail. And Bill Nighy. Bill Nighy who puts on one of the best performances I've ever seen in a film.

Good, the soundtrack is unbelievable. Foreigner's Mick Jones has written the songs for the imaginary band Strange Fruit. Jimmy Nail who plays bass-man Les Wickes and Bill Nighy portraying the egocentric but awkward singer Ray Simms are really singing. We know that about Jimmy Nail, but if you've only heard Bill Nighy's singing in "Love Actually", you have no idea how great and powerful his voice is.

Well, you'll fever for every scene to come for the x-th time, especially those concert scenes. You'd die to be able to really stand in the dancing crowd when Strange Fruit is doing "All Over The World", singing on the top of your lungs. You long to cry and celebrate with thousands of people the rebirth of the real Strange Fruit at Wisbech's festival stage.

It's hard but... I'm addicted to this film. I'm addicted to Strange Fruit. If there's a world where this band really exists I'd like to move there.

Got Still Crazy... anyone?