Blah, blah, blah - I'm bored and etc. Anybody got a car they want washing?
Blah, blah, blah - I'm bored and etc. Anybody got a car they want washing?
Member since:03.10.2000
Reviews:231
Members who trust:70
Ok, I'm not a fan of Mr Bean. I find his antics less than rivetting and the laughter track that seems to get overlayed onto his TV appearances annoys the hell out of me. So why did I watch this? What could I hope to see? Could I watch it subjectively and approach it from an unbiased starting point?
With the portrait of Whistler's Mother about to be rehoused in a Los Angeles museum, it seems that the British Museum can finally get rid of troublesome 'guard' Mr Bean. Ok so they want an expert on art but will they notice the difference? Charged with presenting the portrait to the world DR Bean must present the very face of British dignity amidst the glitz and glamour that only America could create. Is he eccentric or just downright insane? The Langley family (who he's staying with) start to have their doubts...
Ok, the story is about as predictable as Norman Wisdom walking past a swimming pool but what struck me immediately was the quality of the script. Yes this is fundamentally a slapstick film (I expected that) but what came as a suprise was the way it HADN'T been ruined for an American audience. Let's face it, this film simply wouldn't have been made if it wasn't for the American market, and after all the other films that have been ruined by this factor, I did have my concerns - mistakenly it seems
If anything, the American influence seems to improved things - The gags are less contrived and are far more obvious. Similarly the story becomes more obvious and natural. We're no longer going off on a strange surreal journey but rather a natural progression through the ensuing chaos...and it works. Ok we're not talking side splitting but it is generally amusing and manages to hold the old attention marvellously, even in the most cliche'd of scenes.
Atkinson is the main man here and his Mr Bean has never been better realised. Less pathetic than before we see his friendliness and caring side coming through far more clearly than in the TV shows (where he just seemed brian dead to me). Luckily though he does get fabulous support and equal top honours go to Peter MacNicol who provides a wonderful counterbalance. The rest of the cast are less prominant but manage to get the job done, and it all comes together nicely.
Comparisons between Atkinson and the silent greats of Chaplin and Keaton are natural but I for one will NOT be pronouncing Atkinson as being in the same league. Don't get me wrong, he's good but not quite up to genius level. I could go on and justify this (or at least try to) but this is neither the time or the place.
Behind the camera Mel Smith does a very credible job and the script writers (from the TV series) haven't compromised themselves or their creation (too much). Occasionally they fall into the cliche trap but generally Atkinson manages to save face and faith is once again restored.
I'll be honest - I was suprised by this film. It's not a classic by any stretch of the imagination but it certainly succeeds at being a good piece of entertainment. Ok it might not be suitable for all ages, but it does avoid swearing and sex, and the violence is generally in the pie-in-the-face arena
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Comedy - Director: Richard Boden, Mandie Fletcher, Martin Shardlow - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Hugh Laurie, Miranda Richardson, Stephen Fry, Brian Blessed, Tim McInnerny, Tony Robinson, Rowan Atkinson
Comedy - Original Language: English - Classification: 12 years and over - Starring: Tessa Peake-Jones, Buster Merryfield, David Jason, Nicholas Lyndhurst
I have to agree with michellescott, I dont want to see it, but I probably will!
MichelleScott 15.03.2001 19:16
Excellent review. You have actually managed to make me want to see this - amazing!
flashpointz 15.03.2001 17:47
Eurpeans LOVE IT - Every bar you go into in Holiday resorts throughout Europe they either have 'Mr Bean' or 'World's most set up pretend Video Stunts'. Tiresome or what?
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