Who knows if this will ever get US distribution, even though it was directed by, and features Ricky Gervais.
Set in 1973, it tells the story of a son who wants out of the factory job he shares with his Dad (Gervais).
And being set in 1973, it features lots of smoking and a great soundtrack that includes T.Rex, Bowie, Northern Soul, and Led Zep.
It has a very un-Gervais-ish vibe, a very measured pace, with Ricky's character way in the background, in an understated role as the permanently be-vested Dad. There's no humor from him; he leaves that to the main characters and their sloppy friends.
There's one marvelous line, reminiscent of that time capsule comment in Hot Club Tim Machine, where trying to establish whether they have indeed traveled back in time they ask one party-goer what color Michael Jackson is. "Black, of course" was the answer, and they groaned having learned their fate.
The Cemetery Junction line? When walking in on one character listening to a Vaughan Williams LP, they tell him to "Stop listening to music made by poofs. Listen to some Elton John!"
I'm not sure if I'm pleased or saddened to know there's a real place called Cemetery Junction, near Reading, west of London.
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