Cemetery Junction (2010) Directed by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant
The scene is 1970s Reading, where three young men must face the (not so grim) reality of growing up. Bruce (Tom Hughes), bitter about his family and embracing youth, occasionally clashes with the more ambitious Freddie (Christian Cooke) whilst the kooky Snork (Jack Doolan) completes the young trio in this brilliant coming-of-age drama. Mixing comedy with the frustration of being stuck in a dead-end society, this is the ultimate feel-good film of 2010.
When Freddie tries to break away from the factory trade, he takes up a job as a life insurance salesman under the guidance of Mike Ramsay (Matthew Goode). His feelings towards the job are complicated by his moral principles as well as his love for the boss's daughter (incidentally Mike's fiancee). Best friend Bruce vents his frustrations at his parents' divorce with girls, booze and fighting, which sees him hurting himself and those around him. Together with Snork, the pair are polar-opposites but gel well to create a great comic duo with the funniest lines of the film.
The snappy, dry and hilarious dialogue has an obvious Gervais/Merchant flair, but (and speaking as no fan of Ricky Gervais) it comes alive through the young actors in a way that distracts from its well-known writers to embody its own wittiness and humour. Together with a great 70s soundtrack, this film gets the idealistic image of youth just right - it is touching and human, managing to ditch the cheesy element that some coming-of-age dramas just can't shake. Filled with fabulous moments of cringe-worthy mistakes, frustrating silences and heart-warming friendships, this movie creates a bit of nostalgia for the youth we sometimes leave behind.
As far as the 70s culture goes, Gervais and Merchant only scrape the surface of what life was like back then. The backdrop is clear enough with casual racism a common occurrence in the company of Freddie's family and the social expectations of 'get married, buy a house and have kids' at the forefront of the young minds. Although it doesn't go any further than this it doesn't have to. More poignant moments come at the insurance company's work party, which paints a heart-breaking image of unrewarded old age, snippets of stale youth and the dead-end world of an almost forgotten wife. Ralph Fiennes shines here as Mr Kendrick, boss of the insurance firm and ultimate slimy, ungrateful wotsit.
Gervais and Merchant have their on screen moments - Gervais as Freddie's factory-working father and Merchant as another employee of the Kendrick insurance firm. Both are funny in their small roles without stealing the limelight from the three main actors.
There is a definite carpe diem feel to this film that will make you leave the cinema wanting to drop everything and do something. Full of heart-breaking and heart-warming moments that will make you want to laugh and cry, this movie hits all the right notes when it comes to coming-of-age drama. With exceptionally likeable characters, a predictable but well-written narrative and more male eye-candy than you can shake a stick at (I promise girls, they are perfection) this refreshing comedy can and will be enjoyed by everyone.
Please comment if you have anything to add to this review of 'Cemetery Junction'.
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