This fine cinematic gem is Michael Winterbottoms assured return to form after the failed experiment that was 9 Songs. Tristram Shandy is a must for both fans of British Comedy and Charlie Kaufman-style meta-films. Oh yea, and it does the Mockumentary genre proud too. Todd's TIFF2005 review here.
The film gets a UK release on January 20th, 2006 and a limited North American release on January 27, 2006.
Trailer (Embedded Quicktime)
Interview with Steve Coogan and two Clips (buried in the nightmare that is iFilm)
Via MovieWeb.
Caught this film at the Toronto Film Festival back in September... absolutely side-splittingly hilarious!! If you loved the British version of The Office, Monty Python, or even 4 Weddings & a Funeral... you'll love this. Or even the Christopher Guest films, A Mighty Wind, Best in Show, or Spinal Tap. It's exactly that kind of mockumentary farce! Actually if you love good comedy, you should love Tristram Shandy.
TRIVIA: Me and Steve Coogan, the star of Tristram Shandy 'go way back'!
I got to ask questions to the ultra-talented British comedian and star Steve Coogan at the Q&A;following the screening o Tristram Shandy. Funny, seeing him at a huge film premiere in Toronto. I remember him from 15 years ago doing stand-up during my Frosh week at a student bar in Manchester. Steve was absolutely on fire.
Afterwards we chatted at the bar, and got on really well. Haven't seen Steve in person in 15 years, and now I'm asking him questions at a prestigeous Toronto Film Festival premiere. Surreal! We're both Brits in Toronto, but he doesn't know who the hell I am. Doesn't know we were both at a bar in Manchester getting sloshed together, all those years ago when he was a nobody. But I knew he had talent! Knew he could be a contender. And here he is. This could be the film that finally ignites his cinema career. (Crying shame more people didn't see 24 Hour Party People: AMAZING!)
Bottom line: catch Steve in Tristram Shandy. You won't be disappointed. And I'm not just saying that cos 'e's me mate, guv!
Tara!
- Adam
one thing that will hopefully change when tristram shandy gets out there, if not at the cinema but hopefully on DVD, is that people born / living primarily outside the UK will realise that coogan is easily top 5 in terms of comedy talent on the globe right now. the film projects so far have been pretty poor and dont show 5% of his ability as a performer or writer. luckily, here in the UK, having seen his shows and seen how he has progressed with his own production company, its easy to see his work in context of other talent out there... looking forward to seeing this film.
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