Naked men, good music and plenty of laughs!

I had a brilliant evening in last night, transported back to 1997 and one of my favourite all time films - The Full Monty - which I have recently acquired on DVD.

I don't suppose that there are many people who do not know a little about the storyline in The Full Monty. However, I will just give a brief synopsis. The story is set in Sheffield in the mid 90s. Once a thriving centre of the steel industry, now there is mass unemployment. The central character is Gary (played by Robert Carlyle) who is desperate to make a bit of money so he can pay the maintainance arrears for his son Nathan, and therefore carry on seeing him.

Gary is always on the lookout for one scam or another, most of which don't get him anywhere, until he stumbles across the idea of male stripping! Along with his friend Dave (played briliantly by Mark Addy) they set about recruiting a troupe of dancers who are set to rival the real Chippendales! However, why would any woman in her right mind want to go and view a group of unemployed Yorkshiremen when they can have the real thing? Therefore they have to promise more by vowing to go 'the full monty'!

The unlikely group include Gerald, their former boss; a thin and scrawny ginger haired man still living with his mother; a gay bathroom fitter; and an almost geriatric man with fantastic rhythm! It is a sense of desperation that brings all these men together and all their stories are very touching. For example, Gerald has been unemployed for six months but has not had the courage to tell his wife who is still happily spending on the credit card! He dresses for work and leaves the house each day keeping up a pretence of still working. It's obvious he will be found out sooner or later but is his wife understanding or not? You'd have to watch the film to find out!

It is the character of Mark with whom I sympathise the most. Since losing his job he has really lost his self esteem. He knows he is fat but just can't seem to stop himself from eating the chocolate bars! His wife is despairing for him, and he is the most reluctant of them all to reveal all on stage. As he says 'why would anyone want to see this fat b***ard!' I think Mark Addy plays this character brilliantly, and in what is essentially a hilarious film, I am always moved to tears by some of his scenes.

Along side Mark Addy I think all the acting is excellent. I always enjoy watching Robert Carlyle and he plays the part of Gary in a very understated way, but one that really works and you really feel for him too. One of the real stars for me though is the young William Snape, who plays Gary's son Nathan. His facial expressions are brilliant especially when he is fed up or embarrassed by another of his dad's scams! I have not heard of this actor doing anything else since, but he seemed so promising that I would be surprised if he hadn't had further success!

Over all The Full Monty is a very funny and uplifting film, and definitely shows how it is possible, with a little determination, to triumph over adversity! There is a hugely funny and very well known scene when all the men are in the dole queue, when over the radio they hear one of the songs which they have been rehearsing. Before long, they are all moving along the queue, swaying their hips and sinchronising their movemnets in time to the music!

It is the sort of film where you can't help rooting for the characters and you can't help watching with a smile on your face. Even with the drab, run down back drop of unemployed Sheffield, you feel an optimism that things will be all right in the end. And what happens? Is the show a success, and do the men actually do 'the full monty'? Well I won't say, but watch the film and you will definitely enjoy finding out!

It's interesting when you watch this film that you notice all the smoking. We've only had the ban since 1st July, but already it seems quite shocking to see all the smoking that goes on in public places. This is probably one element that will start to date the film! Also, I remember when, in the mid 90s, male strippers like The Chipendales, were everywhere. In fact I even remember being part of a wild frenzied female audience at the Manchester Playhouse watching them! What happened to these sorts of acts as they don't seem to be around in such a big way? I guess it's another element that sets the film firmly in the nineties! By the way the depiction of the wild female audiences are spot on (and just as I remember!)

I remember watching this film at the cinema in 1997 probably about a week after it had opened. It was one of the few times when I have experienced a British audience standing up and clapping at the end of a film but that was exactly the right thing to do!

With my DVD there is a second disc with all the extras. One of these talks about the success of the film and the aftermath which really was amazing. One thing I hadn't remembered though was the fact that the week after I had watched it saw the death of Princess Diana. There was apparently much debate about whether the cinemas would open the weekend of the funeral, but they did. Whereas for virtually every other film the viewings and takings were dwn, for The Full Monty it was just the opposite. A film like this was seen as just what the public needed in order to lift their spirits at a very sad and low time!

I thoroughly recommend watching this film on DVD over and over again. There is so much in it and if you're feeling a littl bit tired or low it is probably just what you want in order to lift your spirits. Incidentally, my husband didn't think he would enjoy the film because he thought that a film about male strippers had to be just for women. However, having sat down and watched it with me more than once, he would probably agree that he enjoys it as much as I do!

If you don't have a copy, the 2 disc edition DVD which I have is on sale from Amazon for an incredible price of £3.97!