4. Still Crazy (1998)
Still Crazy is just a great slice of British cinema. It centres around a band called 'Strange Fruit' that truly hated each other, and were plagued by jealousy and resentment in the 1970s that blew it all during their biggest ever gig. 'Strange Fruit' had everything that makes a legend. The money, the groupies, even a lead singer that OD'd in a Little Chef. Yet it was not to be. On the biggest night of their lives, the gods of rock blasted the stage with lightning, the guys gave up, and that was that. They all went on to live lives haunted by what might've been, and tortured by what was. It revolves around getting the band back together to play the anniversary gig of the one that spectacularly failed and it plays host to a gene pool of eclectic British comedic talent. Bill Nighy is the lead singer still attempting to live old glories with nothing but a memory of success in his pocket, and refuses to accept the encroaching onset of aging, whilst Jimmy Nail is the bassist and unsung hero, now living life as a roofer. Timothy Spall also stars, playing the stereotype drummer to perfection - older and fatter, but still wearing the leather trousers. Stephen Rea is the optimistic keyboardist living in his sister's council flat and working as condom salesman. Bruce Robinson (of Withnail and I fame) is the guitarist trying to run and hide from the past. Oh, and Billy Connolly plays their roadie in a stroke of genius casting. The miming of the playing the instruments is sometimes distracting, but Nighy and Nail actually lend their voices. It is first and foremost a tour de force of British comedy. It is both an ironic parody of '70s excess that meets modern day nostalgia, and an interesting character driven expose of life after rock and roll, and whether that spirit can be captured again. Unlike Spinal Tap (more on that later) it is more restrained, and actually becomes the better film for it. It is actually my favourite film on the list, because it's an incredibly human tale and it explores the relationships behind the music. Above all, it truly encapsulates the embarrassment and silliness of it all. If you haven't seen it, do so. If you have, why are you reading this? Go and watch it again.