Pirate Radio

by Michelle Miles

I’m a huge fan of old rock. So when I heard the commercial for Pirate Radio (aka The Boat That Rocked) I knew it would have to be on my must-see list.

Set in 1966, in England, there was a ban of rock and roll on the radio. So a group of renegade DJs got a boat and anchored off the shore and broadcast rock over the airwaves. They had millions of fans and lived the rock and roll dream.

And meanwhile, the British government tries desperately to shut then down. “We’re the government. If we don’t like something, we make it against the law.” That was their motto.

The movie stars Philip Seymour Hoffman as The Count, the American DJ that keeps listeners riveted to their radios. He even promises them he’ll say the “F word” on live radio and Quentin (Bill Nighy) tries to stop him.

In the midst of radio debauchery, Young Carl (Tom Strurridge), Quentin’s godson, is sent by his mum to stay him with him—to straighten him out since he’s been kicked out of school. His time at sea proves to be a unique education.

The movie is hilarious with a lot of laugh out loud moments. It starts off a bit slow but picks up as the evil government tries hard to shut them down by the end of the year. The head of that task is played by Kenneth Branagh, who puts in a perfectly snooty performance.

Do they succeed? Well, you’ll have to watch the movie to find out. ;) If you’re a fan of classic rock – and there is plenty of it on the movie soundtrack – then you’ll like this movie. It’s a flashback to the mid-1960s when sex, drugs and rock and roll ruled.

Michelle Miles is an avid movie watcher, writes romance, drinks coffee and collects shoes. You can learn more about her books at http://www.michellemiles.net.