The Full Monty (1997), DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect Director: Peter Catteneo; Screenwriter: Simon Beaufoy; rated R for some nudity, language Starring: Robert Carlyle (Gaz), Tom Wilkinson (Gerald), Mark Addy (Dave), William Snape (Nathan), Paul Barber (Horse), Hugo Speer (Guy), Lesley Sharp (Jean), Emily Woof (Mandy), Deirdre Costello (Linda), Dave Hill (Alan), Bruce Jones (Reg) Plot Summary: When a group of unemployed steelworkers in Sheffield are inspired by a touring male striptease act, they decide to form their own all-male stripping troupe to make some quick cash. Despite lacking traditional physiques and facing personal insecurities, the men commit to performing a "full monty," meaning completely nude, one time only to solve their financial troubles and regain their self-respect. The film culminates in a single, pivotal performance where they must overcome their fears and the judgment of their community in a bid to reclaim their dignity.
Gerald Cooper (portrayed by the brilliant Tom Wilkinson) has a great job at the mill as foreman. He is considered a successful man. He has a wife, a nice house and wears high-brow clothes. He even thinks he is, class-wise, above those hourly folk slaving away. After Gaz and Dave interrupt and blow Gerald's interview at the unemployment agency, the uppity ex-supervisor loses it... "Bastards! That were mine, that job! You don't give it a toss! You're kids! It's different for me! I have a standard of living, responsibilities! I were on me way up! I AM on me way up!" This moment slapped me in the face. layoffs like these affect everyone, even those "in leadership" who think they are somehow insulated and safe. Something subtle you might have missed: steel anxiety This film's plot is set in motion due to layoffs. Steel industry closures also happened across America to small towns like Bethlehem, PA; Youngstown, Ohio; and Gary, Indiana. Men and women who had provided for their families and loyally worked hard, all their lives, were suddenly out of work. To feed their own, providers were forced to take any job, or side hustle, available. And most of them did just that, like our dancers in this film. But it wasn't just steel. Textile plant closures impacted places like Danville, Virginia and Bruceton, Tennessee. Glass plants closed in Connellsville Pa and Salem, New Jersey. The auto industry closed plants in places like Flint, Michigan and Muncie, Indiana. What about electronics? Towns like Tempe, Arizona and Fairfield, Texas were impacted. Technological advances and global outsourcing have gutted our country of its ability to sustain a working lower-to-middle class. Besides a steady flow of income, jobs give people hope, pride and purpose. Why did this occur? Corporate GREED - all to keep production prices low, insure high stock prices and reward executives with obscene salaries and bonuses. Yea, it pisses me off. Memorable Quotes: "He's got gnomes." - Dave "I dunno, really... Let's see, there's the, uh... The bump, the stomp, the bus stop... Me break-dancing days are probably over, but there's always the funky chicken." - Horse regarding his dance experience "Anti-wrinkle cream there may be, but anti-fat-bastard cream there is not." - Dave "Dancers have coordination, skill, timing, fitness, and grace. Take a long, hard look in the mirror." - Gerald Arthur Cooper
A perfect movie plot needs a catalyst, you know, that thing that kick-starts the story and gives the characters something to overcome. This is called the "Inciting Incident" or the "Call to Adventure". In this little British tale, the closure one steel mill in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England results in people losing their jobs. What do desperate men resort to when jobs are hard to come by? A recently unemployed bloke, nick-named Gaz, has issues aplenty since losing his job. His ex-wife is threatening to sue him over child support and take full custody of his teen son Nathan. The only cash he can make is by selling stolen scrap metal, but that's not a good option. Suddenly he gets this brilliant idea! Become male strippers... and promise the Full Monty! After some laborious convincing (and running an ad in the local paper), Gaz is able to assemble a group of ordinary dudes, including his rotund best friend Dave, and his ex-supervisor Gerald. To round out the troupe, they add Lomper, as suicidal security guard; Horse, an older gentleman with some soulful moves; and Guy, who's not much of a dancer, but he does pack quite a surprise. These guys are not Chippendales material. Nope. Nada. No way. If this were the SNL skit, they'd favor Barney over Adrian. The motley group sets to work on their routine, often practicing under a car's headlights in their now abandoned steel mill. As they trained and practiced, I thought of the film Rocky, well, it was a small bit like that film.
Aside from all the hilarity surrounding grown men prancing around on stage in tear-away policeman uniforms, I enjoyed the smaller moments. There are great moments between Dave and his wife Jean. He has lost his confidence due to body image issues. Though Jean is supportive, he just can't over-come his insecurities. Trust me, I know how he feels. There's also a nice story regarding Gaz and his son, Nathan. Through Gaz's determination, he sets the perfect example for his son: Don't quit. Keep battling. Stay positive. For his child, he'll do anything to maintain the relationship. If there is a better example of what it means to be a great father, I don't know that it could be. As for me, I can't believe I watched a whole movie, where the ending involves men doing a strip routine. I can now state that I proudly love this film. I really touches me. Who cares if they are strippers. In this world, people do what they have to in order to survive. And heck, if a few ladies get a little jolt for it, all the better. Social norms, be damned! Regarding this film's (don't worry, it's handled very tastefully) finale... Take it off, Boys! Take it all OFF! thuh-en-d, mate On to No. 96... During Pain's Path
|
Defining Moment:
humble pie
Dad's Review:
About halfway through his superb comedy, it
stops being a farce about unsightly middle-aged men attempting something
impossible, and turns into an inspiration about conquering the impossible by
sheer force of will an desperation. You begin to think, "You know, these
untalented farts
might just pull this off!" That is, as they take it off.