Steve Coogan is back as local radio DJ Alan Partridge in a feature film version of the TV series of the same name (I will be watching the first season of the TV series soon- $1.99 Used DVD buy at Hastings on Memorial Day weekend).   Alan Patridge is inept and charming at the same time, and he bumbles through a chance at bigger fame when he is asked by the police to be the hostage negotiator after a disgruntled fellow DJ Pat Farrell (Colm Meaney who I most remember from DEEP SPACE NINE) takes the new radio station management hostage after the DJ is fired.   What follows is a series of comic adventures as Alan tries to save the hostages and gain fame.   

 

ALAN PARTRIDGE is an amusing comedy (even if it isn’t the most humorous comedy I have ever watched), but it does make me curious enough to watch that season one set of the TV show I just bought.   I like the contradictions in Alan as you recognize the flaws in him while you also want to root for him while you want the new heads of the radio stations to get their own just deserts for worrying more about the bottom line and chasing after the broadest audience at the sacrifice of a loyal audience.   Also you have one DJ who is looking for last thing to hand onto and trying to regain that after he is fired while you have Alan who may be the one who caused the events to go into motion without an afterthought of what his actions might lead to.

 

SPECIAL FEATURES:

MAKING OF ALAN PARTRIDGE- cast and crew talk about the improve nature of making the movie and how they had to make it accessible to everyone (while having it also acknowledge the fans of the TV show).

Under two minutes of brief BEHIND THE SCENES moments

AXS TV: A LOOK AT ALAN PARTRIDGE which is a condensed version of the longer making-of featurettes.

 

Previews for STAGE FRIGHT, BEST NIGHT EVER

 

FINAL ANALYSIS:  ALAN PARTRIDGE is a slightly funny comedy which will appeal to fans of the TV show and may invite enough interests of people who have watched Alan Partridge the character for the first time to track down the TV show.

 

This review is ©5-30-2014 David Blackwell and cannot be reprinted without permission.  Send all comments to feedback@enterline-media.com

 

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