I didn't hate the movie. I just was surprised at all the hubbub about it. It was a little movie that was mildly diverting at best and yet it got so many kudos. I guess I have to give it a few points for being original and some decent acting by a bunch of unknowns, but I just didn't find myself caring about them or the plot. I would not have gone to the theater to see this nor would I have bothered renting it. In fact, it was on HBO or some other pay channel and that's why I saw it. And, that's exactly what I recommend. See it if you want, but don't bother PAYING to see it, as there are better ways to spend your money.
Another little film in which you also get to see an ugly old man's butt is Waking Ned Divine--a much more interesting movie and certainly worth paying to see.
The Full Monty
1997
Action / Comedy / Drama / Music / Romance
The Full Monty
1997
Action / Comedy / Drama / Music / Romance
Plot summary
In the decaying steel mill town of Sheffield in Northern England, friends Gaz and Dave, both now unemployed and on the dole after the closure of most of the town's steel mills, steal scrap metal from the closed mills to supplement their meager income, often with Gaz's twelve year old son, Nathan, on the days Gaz has custody. Still, Gaz is behind in child support payments to his ex-wife, Mandy. When Mandy threatens to sue for full custody in that Gaz can't support Nathan in any way, Gaz, seeing the long line up of women clamoring to get in to see a touring Chippendales styled dance troupe, thinks he can solve his financial and thus custody problems by forming his own male exotic dance troupe with some of his fellow un- or underemployed ex-mill workers. In addition to Dave, he has in mind middle-aged Gerald, their former foreman who has not told his spending-happy wife Linda that he has been unemployed for six months, and Lomper, a mild-mannered security guard who they just met in the act of him trying to commit suicide in his depression. The obvious problem is that with the exception of Gerald who knows how to ballroom dance, they are not generally stripper material, either in looks, skill or temperament, with especially slightly overweight Dave having body image issues, he believing his wife, Jean, having a wandering eye because of what he considers his unappealing looks. In an open casting among those at the employment office, they are able to recruit further misfits Horse, an older man who does know the contemporary dances of his era, and younger Guy, who can't dance and can't sing but loves Singin' in the Rain (1952) and has a natural gift below the belt. Beyond the many obstacles in being able to put together a dance strip act that women would pay to see, they have to overcome their own individual issues, Gaz's which includes Nathan, who loves his father but with who he just wants to do "normal" father/son activities.
Uploaded by: OTTO
Director
Top cast
Tech specs
720p.BLU 1080p.BLUMovie Reviews
just not that interesting
Engaging, genuinely poignant and very funny
"When the going gets tough, the tough get go-going."
Well what can I say about The Full Monty? Simply this; it is one of those films that made me laugh and cry sometimes at the same time, and more importantly it made me proud to be British. The Full Monty is just a wonderful film, engaging, funny and genuinely poignant in places.
The humour is often side-splitting, and the film is filled to the brim with many wonderful moments, the part when the "would-be Chippendales of the North" absent-mindedly gyrating to the radio in a dole queue was particularly inspired. And of course the dirty dancing antics. While it is very funny, it was poignant too. The Full Monty is a film about men's emotional short-comings, and these were explored in an engaging and profoundly touching way.
The script does have some hilarious moments, often verging on hysterical at times, but it never fails to be touching as well. Peter Cattaneo's direction is another plus, it is relaxed and sensitive, never taking itself too seriously. And the story is very engaging and beautifully written. Visually, The Full Monty looks lovely, the opening scene especially was beautifully shot, and the cinematography was skillful. I even liked the music, You Sexy Thing, Make Me Smile, Rock & Roll, We are Family and the Full Monty all to name a few were really pleasant and entertaining.
And of course, the acting is brilliant, every single person gives an honest and appealing performance. Starting with Robert Carlyle as the divorced father trying to maintain joint custody of his son, he delivers a really strong and vulnerable performance that serves as the film's core. Mark Addy, Lesley Sharp, Tom Wilkinson and Hugo Speer give terrific support and manage to be really likable.
Overall, wonderful film, definitely worth seeing if you like movies that are both funny and touching. 10/10 Bethany Cox
Good feel
I quite liked this one and actually saw it a couple of times at the cinema. A good working class feel to the humour and nice interplay between the actors. Goes to show that you can make a good story out of pretty much any subject matter.