Film

What's on at the cinema plus reviews of the latest movie and DVD releases

Cemetery Junction (2010)

Director: Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant

Time Out rating

Average user rating

29 reviews

Synopsis

If nothing else, ‘The Invention of Lying’ and ‘Ghost Town’ proved that Ricky Gervais could indeed hold his own in Hollywood, but this latest offering – co-written and directed with Stephen Merchant – sees him trying his hand at a homegrown Brit coming-of-age comedy.

Movie review

From Time Out London

It’s tempting to see this debut feature from the creators of ‘The Office’ and ‘Extras’ as a case of poachers turned gamekeepers: all those gags about pop culture and Hollywood, then they go and make a straight-down-the-line coming-of-age yarn, set in the most romantically realised version of 1973 Reading you could imagine. In fact, the seeds were always there: the confidently sustained story, the build-up of emotional resonance and the parochial aspirationalism that characterise ‘Cemetery Junction’ are all of a piece with the writer-directors’ sitcom work.

The film focuses on three lifelong pals entering adulthood: Bruce (Tom Hughes) is all swaggering bravado; Snork (Tom Doolan) is a clown, alternately arrogant and naively inane; and apprentice insurance salesman Freddie (Christian Cooke) is knuckling down to a life of bourgeois comfort he hasn’t quite sold himself on yet. He finds a kindred spirit in childhood crush Julie (Felicity Jones), whose slimy dad (Ralph Fiennes) and fiancé (Matthew Goode) – Freddie’s boss and mentor at the insurance firm – have decidedly lower opinions of her potential.

There are laughs, but this isn’t quite a comedy. Gervais and Merchant have stated their intention to make a classically cool movie along the lines of ‘Saturday Night Fever’ or ‘Rebel Without a Cause’ and they get away with it up to a point. Rather than sniggeringly naff, their ’70s suburbia is handsomely designed and lit, with attractive, engaging kids undergoing unabashedly emotional life-changes.

It’s not a wholly convincing fit: though confidently executed, the film often leans heavily enough on its models to feel formulaic, and its romances map a little too closely on to those of ‘The Office’. Overall, though, it’s refreshing to see a mainstream British film with the ambition to strut its stuff on studio terms. Aspirational indeed.

Author: Ben Walters

Time Out London Issue 2069 15-21 April, 2010

Email Tweet Share

User reviews of this film

threeshoes said...

Posted on Nov 07 2011 06:14 It is good to see a British film like this making a success, but I would not choose to watch it again. The characterisation is thin and depends on the Office for its relationships. The scenery is good, but unrealistic (it looks like a Cotswold village rather than 70s Reading) and I do have a problem with directors putting themselves in the plot, although they don't go overboard.

Report as inappropriate
ajm said...

Posted on May 17 2011 14:07 I recently came across this film on Sky Premiere, as I missed out on it at the cinema. I have to say it was an excellent film and better than expected. There were some excellent moments and typical Gervais/Merchant humour in parts. I like the scene that made reference to Elton John - what we know vs. what they did not know in 1973.

Report as inappropriate
Celbelle said...

Posted on Oct 15 2010 12:59 I actually really enjoyed this film, It made me laugh which is always a good sign and I loved seeing all the 70's stuff. My only criticism is that it was a bit slow in parts. I'd recommend it and have done to my friends already.

Report as inappropriate
Sally Phillips said...

Posted on Sep 26 2010 18:17 I really liked this movie. I wasn't sure where it was going for the first 20 minutes or so but as it found its groove it was clear that humanity would prevail in sketching the lives of the young uns. Jack Doolan's brilliant cover of Cum On Feel the Noize was a highlight for me.

Report as inappropriate
Metal Dog said...

Posted on Aug 26 2010 09:18 Pretty dire on all accounts. Ralph Fiennes evil Dad was pitiful, as was the script. "lets go to the Majestic.....its Majestic". Now as I remember the Majestic was not the same place as Wigan Casino so why the Northern Soul cover and dance sequence? Reading in the 70s had loads of Teds, Mods, Bikers and throbbing Reggae sound systems what happened to them? Made it look and feel very boring. Reading looked like some over twee Henley. Just go visit Cemetery Junction today its a lot more interesting. A missed opportunity to stand out and produce something out of the ordinary but this film offers the same bland fare.
Shame

Report as inappropriate
Henry said...

Posted on May 24 2010 14:24 The best film i have ever seen

Report as inappropriate
zoe said...

Posted on May 12 2010 18:17 Average film: the acting was good but the storyline was predictable and the humour weak. Not enough happened, there was no drama or suspence, the romance was not built up at all and I left feeling I had wasted 90 mins of my time. There were a few vaguely amusing bits but I can understand why we were the only people in the cinema watching the only screening of the day. A let down, boring and uninspiring...nothing new or imaginatice. BUT the acting and casting was good.

Report as inappropriate
Ruthless Critic said...

Posted on May 07 2010 15:24 Hilarious in parts, touching in others, this film is a winner. It has, in bucket-loads, what most films lack - warmth. I'd ready too many indifferent reviews beforehand, and so was waiting to be won over; within twenty minutes I was hooked. A thoroughly enjoyable life-affirming film that, in my opinion, you have to see.

Report as inappropriate
Ekul89 said...

Posted on May 02 2010 21:20 This is Gervais' first proper crack at making a movie, the invention of lying doesn't really count. I thought for somebody who has had his own record-breaking pod casts/radio show, award-winning tv show, three immensely popular stand-up shows, that his attempt at creating a movie which you enjoyed, which you laughed at, and which you didn't get bored at was incredibly well done.
Before you critisise, go look at the directors who write the crap for 'Scary movie 8' and 'date-trip' or whatever trollop they're coming up with, they've had millions and years to make good movies, and are failing.
This film beats 90% of the films released this year hands down, so for that - well done Team Gervais!

Report as inappropriate
samuel said...

Posted on Apr 30 2010 00:50 An absolutely ace film, gervais and co don't claim it to be anything more than what it is. As a truly uplifting and visually stunning screen play with perfection in both cast and sound track, this film is epic. Its true there is no explosions and bruce willis doesn't kill any russian terrorists, but if you watch this film with an open mind you will enjoy it. Great to see gervais and merchant working together, gervais is back to his best after a rather bland and bland directorial debut. Best part of the film has to be the karl pilkington pop up, genius. Could have done without gervais actually being present in the film. Of course this film is predictable, I don't think the story would have had the desired uplifting effect if freddy turned out to be a ghost or snork developed testicular cancer. Great film 5 stars.

Report as inappropriate
philmk said...

Posted on Apr 29 2010 11:44 Dull, hackneyed, predictable, unfunny, banal. I'm surprised it was only 95 minutes, it seemed longer. Disappointing.

Report as inappropriate
colino said...

Posted on Apr 28 2010 11:22 There are touches of Our Friends in the North and Play For Today - but all said and done it's not very good and with the cast and a sharper script it could have been a lot better

Report as inappropriate
DV said...

Posted on Apr 26 2010 08:54 Enjoyable, with some lol moments, and a slightly rebelious streak. Maybe it could have done with a bit more grit, but any film that features some Led Zep can't be all bad! Good chemistry between the leads.

Report as inappropriate
sr l said...

Posted on Apr 23 2010 17:17 Seemed like a bad episode of Heartbeat. No real story if you think about oit. Gervais playing the same tired charachter.

Report as inappropriate
Alex said...

Posted on Apr 22 2010 09:56 some previous gervais films have been a bit of a let down to me but this is really his first big screen project that kept me smiling from start to finish. the plot itself was somewhat predictable but never uninteresting the characters felt at all times real, which drew me in and their are genuine heartfelt moments in the film such as bruce's reconnection with his father. the cast was near enough perfect for what was trying to be achieved, perhaps the only uneccesary performance was from Ricky himself which although at times funny the film was capable of greatness without his input. Gervais' humour often involves his being the butt of the joke which did provide a realistic veiw on race back in the 70s but at no point was this film even slightly racist as it was only their to view peoples awkward response to the odd racial jibe. this film is unlikeley to go down as a classic but its representation of three young men coming of age and finding their own path in life certainly makes it a feel-good light hearted comedy that is well worth watching.

Report as inappropriate