Cemetery
Junction
Starring:
Christian
Cooke, Felicity Jones, Tom Hughes, Ricky Gervias
Running
time: 95 minutes
Year:
2010
Directed
By: Ricky
Gervais & Stephen Merchant
Written
By: Ricky
Gervais & Stephen Merchant
Ricky Gervais has mainly been known for his work on
the brilliant sitcom The Office. He
has attempted since to create new shows or dab his hand in film, mainly in the
states, but none of these have been as much of a hit as The Office was. Gervais
and writing partner Stephen Merchant generally write and direct their own stuff
and more often than not cast themselves in one of the roles. In Cemetery Junction however the pair seem
to have broken off from their normal devices and created something entirely
different. For starters the film is a drama with comedy elements instead of an
outright comedy and Gervais limits himself to more of a supporting role. Does
it work then, knowing Gervais' usual style? The answer is a definite yes!
The film revolves around three friends, Freddie,
Bruce, and Snork, who live in a working class area of Reading called Cemetery
Junction. Growing up Freddie has always respected his Father (played by
Gervais) who works hard to earn a small living at a factory, however when it is
Freddie's turn to work at factory he decides he doesn't want to. Instead he
takes a job selling insurance, where he earns better money and wears a suit to
work, despite his friends and family mocking him for it. As he begins to work he
realises he has grown out of the immature activities he and his mates usually
get up to, such as criminal damage, fighting, and drinking, all of which
generally end up with them in a police cell. Starting to dream of making
something of himself, Freddie takes his job seriously and meets an old flame
Julie, who he finds is engaged to his boss and daughter of the owner to the
company. His new fondness for his job doesn't rub off on his better friends who
accuse him of turning into someone who believes he is better than the area he was
brought up in. However his attention to detail begins to be noticed by Julie
and her Mother. After spending much isolated time with Julie he begins to
realise how the men within the firm are highly chauvinistic and his friends are
highly immature and will never chase their dreams. Julie inspires him to break
free and never let anyone or anything hold him back.
The story of the film is a coming-of-age tale and it
is highly noticeable within each of the characters. Despite some of the relationships
seeming a little rushed, especially Freddie and Julie's, the characters are
very well written and all undertake a very satisfying arc by the end. The three
leads all face internal struggles where they fail to accept the moments in life
that will ultimately make them better people. They use crime as a way to
release their anger that builds inside them whilst promising themselves they
will leave their downtrodden estate, knowing deep down that they never will.
All of their internal conflicts are resolved by the end and each character's
story feels complete when they come to the conclusion. The characters really do
drive the story as the plot is rather bare and simple but it is the way the
characters are written, presented, and acted that make you follow them on their
emotional journey. All the actors play their roles very well. In my eyes the
two stars were Emily Watson and Tom Hughes who both play their roles as if they
were born to do it. Ralph Fiennes and Matthew Goode are also good as two
chauvinistic men who believe money is more important than the women in their
lives. Christian Cooke, who plays Freddie, also does a decent job but his
relationship with Felicity Jones (Julie) failed to have much chemistry. In a
stripped back role Gervais is also good but unfortunately Merchant is given a
God-awful cameo that quite frankly should have been left out. And for Idiot Abroad lovers there is also a
blink and you'll miss him cameo from Karl Pilkington.
It is safe to say that Gervais and Merchant have
produced a good first attempt at writing and directing a feature film. The
directing isn't particularly outstanding but it tells the story, if anything it
was the editing that felt a bit out of place especially with some of the jump
cuts which were pointlessly used. The writing though was top class and some of
the dialogue was laugh out loud funny. The words used were typical of their style
of writing and at times very controversial. As the film is set in the 70's the
pair have managed to write dialogue which could be classed as placing a
statement in today's society but not even blinked at in the era of the film.
Lines involving racism, feminism, and class derogatory were the norm back then
and some of the issues raised highlight how different the world is today. It is
as if Gervais has used some of the issues to spout off his own views. Not that
this is an issue and instead it makes for some cringe worthy comedy.
Overall I was pleasantly surprised with this film.
It does have a few pacing issues towards the end but it was a lot better than I
was expecting. It is definitely a feel good movie that comes to a satisfying
conclusion for all the major characters. By stripping back their work of
sarcasm and in your face humour, Gervais and Merchant have produced a film many
would believe they couldn't and I think if they continued with this type of
genre they could make something even better.
3.5
/ 5
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