Ewan Mcgregor Movie:

				Salesrank:
		MPAA Rating: R (Restricted) Media: DVD

Editorial Review:
Take The Full Monty, add a sharper emotional edge, and replace the strutting strippers with a dignified British band. That's the essence of Brassed Off, a bittersweet gem released in 1996, a year before its more popular (and Oscar-nominated) counterpart. In the Yorkshire town of Grimley, there has always been a coal mine, just as for the last 111 years there has been a brass band, and it seems that Danny (the wondrous Pete Postlethwaite) has been the director for every one of those years. Tory economic policies, however, are closing coal mines around the country in favor of nuclear power, and Grimley appears to be next on the list. Danny is unfazed by the threat, claiming, "It's music that matters." But some of the men are about to quit the band until the appearance of Gloria (Tara Fitzgerald at her most radiant), who dazzles the all-male group (including old flame Andy, played by Ewan McGregor) first with her beauty, then with her flügelhorn playing. The new member gives the band a boost as they continue to perform and compete, but closure remains very real, as director Mark Herman (Little Voice) accompanies the band's performances (played with gusto by the Grimethorpe Colliery Band) with scenes of angry labor-management confrontations and family strife. In this context, some of the characters claim that the music is an irresponsible form of escapism. It becomes clear, however, from a touching performance of "Danny Boy" to the stirring conclusion at Royal Albert Hall, that music is an expression of the human spirit, a bit of beauty and sanity in a harsh world. With defiance, the band can play "Land of Hope and Glory," even when the land offers them neither. --David Horiuchi

Brassed Off [Region 2] Reviews:
A Lot to Like
2009-05-09 - I've seen this movie twice now on satellite, and haven't tired of it. There's a lot to like. After a heavy dose of Transporter 1 through 25, Fast and Furious, various Star Treks, Star Wars, and gritty spy killing spy flicks, this is a wonderful little dose of reality - gee, I actually can sit through a thoughtful film without car chases, heroes without superpowers, and no one dangling from a helicopter getting shot at by a chain gun. Sounds un-American. That being said, this is a nicely acted, sensibly filmed story with a happy ending sandwiched in an unhappy circumstance. The actors even look like real people, even the lovely Tara Fitzgerald (every town has at least one beauty, right?) It gives the viewer a sense that amidst chaos, something lovely can still be born. The music is great. It makes me wonder why American brass bands can't do what brass bands do best - give you some real toe tapping tunes. The local university has a pretty good band, but what do we hear at half-time? We Will, We Will Rock You. C'mon! Surprise us! Turn our heads! The Grimethorpe Colliery Band is one of the best. They first came to my notice in a Disney film about pit ponys. It was another bittersweet tale about coal mining in the north of Britain when pony's pulled the carts and never saw the light of day, doing their jobs and trudging the tracks back to their subterranean mangers for a bit of sweet hay from a world they'd never see or taste again. Grimethorpe did the track for that one too, and it made me stay to the end of the credits to see who played that great music. A big thumbs up to the Brits for still creating films that make us think and feel without gut-churning special effects, and reminding us that you don't need an electric guitar to make great music, and the world is populated with people like you and I, people who pack trombones and trumpets, not machineguns and grenades.

The brass, the band, the conflict
2009-03-31 - Brassed Off!

There is something about brass bands. Some sense of community, some sense of coming of age, some sense of the underdog to more accepted forms of music like symphonies and angst-ridden twenty-something pop.

This is a great movie for all who were part of bands in high school or community bands where they may have played in the band shell during the summer. The plot is basic and the conflict is simple but the music and the love of how it reflects the locals and creates some pride is wonderful. The actors are better than average and certainly well known. The parts are not challenging but still the piece works its magic.

It is a Brit thing, for some that may increase the honesty of the piece. Did not matter to me, a good reminder about music that moves without the charts, the hype, and the mass market appeal.

Very nice music -- ruined by political demagoguery
2009-01-23 - The title of my review pretty much sums it up for me, so I'll leave it at that.

Gritty and true
2008-03-18 - I lived through the mining strike - and the closing of our pit - in another small British pit village. I knew many of the players in the band, similarly a top band (ironically, featured regularly on the BBC throughout). Every time I watch this film, which I do fairly regularly, it brings it all back: the community split between fight and resignation, the women fighting for their men's - and therefore their - livelihoods, the loyalties and frictions, the sense of helplessness under attack from Thatcher and the southern government, the humour through everything, the ability to achieve greatness when the world is falling apart. Oh, and the language!
Brilliantly realistic, fabulously acted (Postlethwaite is always superb), an absolute gem. It should be bleak, but it also holds out real hope. A proud, funny, loyal, old-fashioned community. With superb music.

Great movie
2008-02-22 - It would be a good idea to watch this movie for ten minutes, become accustomed to the accents, then start over. No car crashes or blood and guts. No rap crap music. Just a good wholesome film that the family can watch. Get your tissues ready for your tears. Lots of good fun though.

Other great family films, Into the West, (Irish fantasy). Man Who Would Be King. Billy Elliott. Strictly Ballroom.
And one for the ladies - Shirley Valentine.