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 (screenplay)

Stars:

Minnie Driver, Kristian Gwilliam, Adam Byard

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Minnie Driver	...	Vivienne Mae
Kristian Gwilliam	...	Hoople
Aneurin Barnard	...	Davey
Tom Rhys Harries	...	Evan (as Tom Harries)
Adam Byard	...	Lewis
Danielle Branch	...	Stella
Kimberley Nixon	...	Vicki
Kayleigh Bennett	...	Dena
Darren Evans	...	Kenny
Dafydd Llyr-Thomas	...	Syd / Member, Cwmtawe Community School Choir
Robert Pugh	...	Headmaster (as Bob Pugh)
Jodi Davis	...	Mandy (as Jodie Davis)
Ryan Hacker	...	Daz
Lewis Coster	...	Davy's Friend
Sam Shervill	...	Davy's Friend

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:

shakespeare's the tempest | year 1976 | band | confidence | smile | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Music

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

Minnie Driver did her own singing and guitar playing.

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Goofs

The song Livin' Thing (written by Jeff Lynne, performed by ELO), did not chart in the UK until 13 Nov 1976 and would not have been known during the Summer of 76.

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Quotes

Vivienne Mae: What about Miss Valentine? Is she the future?
Headmaster: "O brave new world that has such people in't."

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Crazy Credits

All The Car Booters of South Wales (you know who you are)

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Connections

References The Incredible Hulk (1977)

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Soundtracks

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

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.

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 March 2013 (USA)

Also Known As:

Hunky Dory

Filming Locations:

Wales, UK

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$7,443, 24 March 2013

Gross USA:

$20,296

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$139,653

Company Credits

Production Co:

Film Agency for Wales, Wales Creative IP Fund, Eyepatch

Technical Specs

Runtime:

110 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1