Pirate Radio
Pirate Radio was a mid 60’s phenomenon in Britain born out of necessity as government was the only source of radio and refused to play Rock and Roll. Enterprising DJ’s turned rusty ships into high seas transmitters and started beaming the demon music without benefit of a broadcast license to a nation of thirsty ears. The appalled government of the time made a vow to shut the renegades down which was difficult since they were technically doing nothing illegal. Then again when has the law ever stood in the way of government purpose? The film is fleshed out by an engaging subplot that involves fictional MP Sir Alistair Dormandy (Kenneth Branagh in a starched shirt perfectly stuffed) and his henchman Twatt (Jack Davenport) trying every political angle to sink the buccaneer broadcasters as they are welcoming to their fold Carl (Tom Sturridge), an 18 year old truant sent by his mother Charlotte (Emma Thompson) to be set straight under the guidance of Quentin (Bill Nighy) an old friend who happens to own one of these ships christened Rock Radio. Philip Seymour Hoffman with the on-air moniker The Count leads a cast of quirky announcers pumping out the best of this pioneering time in the history of rock even though some of the music is non contextual. The scenario set in this brief shining period of high seas romance is a fertile place tailor made to tell a dandy story but maybe there wasn’t much else to say. There are some chuckles but often at the expense of logic and the prime focus is a teenager trying hard for his first sexual experience. Hasn’t that been done before? Isn’t there a better place to do it other than aboard a ship filled with guys sporting bad teeth?