Movies aren't defined by their soundtracks. The music should always work to enhance the overall feel of the film. The closest I think a movie can come to defying this concept would be in the case of "Pirate Radio." This movie has what I think to be the best soundtrack I may have ever experienced. The sounds of The Kinks, The Who, John Fred and His Playboy Band, Jimi Hendrix, The Turtles...if you don't recognize any of those artists, then this movie is probably not for you.
In the 1960's, one of my favorite decades, the British government worked to ban rock & roll from the radio and possibly throughout the country. The music, they believe, is sinful and encourages people to act immorally. As we know today, that isn't true. The music helped to define a generation and laid the foundation for some of the greatest musicians of all time, including The Beatles (the DVD and poster covers mimic their White Album quite excellently). We hear what they play, listen to the characters discuss their feelings about it, and what the movie works to show us is a group of rebellious 'pirates' who work to broadcast this music 24/7. They would die for the privilege to show people this brilliant 'new' music. Actually, they would think dying for it would be a privilege.
The guys and girl on the boat live out on sea where they broadcast their music. The residents aboard include The Count (Philip Seymour Hoffman, giving one of his trademark brilliant performances), Angus Nutsford (Rhys Darby, a walking punchline), Doctor Dave (Nick Frost, Simon Pegg's sidekick in "Shaun of the Dead" and "Hot Fuzz"), Midnight Mark (Tom Wisdom), Quentin (Bill Nighy, giving amazing acting and nailing every single joke), and later Gavin Canavagh (Rhys Ifans, wonderful), and a whole bunch of others. You may or may not remember every single character later (I sure as hell can't), but I wouldn't call that one of the film's weaknesses. Some others do, but it seems to be the nature of the music to be surrounded by very different, eccentric people.
That's really about it. The movie is hilarious, fun, and truly rocks. The ending is a little muddled, but the final note is one that leaves you feeling great. I can't really imagine a better way to spend your time than to leave a movie with the feeling I left after seeing "Pirate Radio."
Rated R for language, and some sexual content including brief nudity.
Buy it here.
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