12 out of 12 people found the following review helpful:

A true satirical classic

Chris Carr from London, 14th June, 2007

Sharp, glib and stunningly prescient, this is a dark comedy about the Establishment and the workings of the British state. When I first saw this film I was about 21 and knew very little about how the world worked - back then it was merely funny. But it's one of those films which is both funnier and more disturbing the more you know about reality. In a very nearly post-Blair world it is more alarming than ever. Cook lacks the charisma of John Cleese or the versatility of Peter Sellers, but it is this very mediocrity which makes the central character so compelling. It has the same toe-curling effect as The Office: is it a work of fiction or is it a documentary? It's almost plausible. It's difficult to say much about the plot without spoiling it - only that Rimmer is an ambitious young exec intent on climing the political ladder. It's not perfect though. My one real complaint is that Rimmer is a bit one-dimensional. He lacks the human side given to Jim Hacker, for instance. There aren't (m)any moments where you feel sorry for him. Still, it's definitely worth watching. If you have ever enjoyed Yes Minister or The Thick Of It you should give this a try.

Read all highest rated reviews

2 out of 2 people found the following review helpful:

Clever but tedious

A Customer from Tadworth, 23rd February, 2009

It's a great pity this film fails. The plot is clever and well planned, with a surprising truth considering it was written many years before spin-doctors and the like. You will recognise modern political characters portrayed in it. It reminds me of my old school dinners - many say they're full of goodness but when you actually have to eat them they were boring and took ages to get through and left you with the feeling of thank goodness that's over. The cast is a complete round-up of all the great British comedy actors who all act wonderfully, but somehow it goes from scene to scene with a tired and predictable pace, and never gets off the ground. Too many characters perhaps? Most of them had too little to do or say to make any impression and just came and went. An exception was Arthur Lowe, whose character did develop and who lifted the film's head out of the quagmire to gasp a little air. Peter Cooke played the creepy Rimmer quite well but said nothing interesting and floated around the film like a silent fart despite being the central character. We found ourselves waiting unsuccessfully for something interesting to happen, and were extremely relieved when it finished. We made it to the end, quite an achievement!

Read all highest rated reviews

1 out of 1 people found the following review helpful:

Brilliant Satire

adaminleeds from from Leeds, 17th October, 2008

If anyone tells you we should hold a referendum, on hanging, the European constitution or even the decision to bring back blue smarties, make them watch this! Peter Cook is sublime as the pollster who makes it big through marketing know-how and spin. It couldn't happen of course just ask Alistair Campbell or Peter Mandelson! A Pipe-smoking PM and piano-playing leader of the opposition complete the hard realism. Satire bites in this movie and you'll love every morcel!

Read all highest rated reviews

Couldn't watch it

Kayonly from , 13th July, 2009

I actually could not watch this putrid film all the way through. It was dated beyond belief and I wonder why any of the people in the film ever thought it was worth making. I always thought Peter Cook was very entertaining and funny, but he looked absolutely out-of-place in this. The clothes were ghastly. He looked like a nerd and was grimacingly unfunny. Sorry to have witnessed such a terrible thing.

Read all highest rated reviews