#15 - Pirate Radio (The Boat That Rocked)

In 1966, a year when the British Invasion is exploding onto the foreground of the musical world, there is still not a single British radio station devoted to playing rock music.  Not an official one, that is.  Pirate radio ships, anchored in Britain's ports, broadcast the newest sounds all day and all night, and at their head is a boat called Radio Rock.  Radio Rock becomes the new home of Carl, a young man kicked out of school and lacking in purpose.  While a few devoted cabinet members pull all the strings to make pirate radio illegal, Carl becomes a part of the Radio Rock family, a crew of motley characters devoted to each other and of course, to the music.

As my roommate and I discussed beforehand, if I somehow didn't fall in love with the movie itself - a British rock'n'roll film about the 1960s directed by Love Actually's Richard Curtis - I could just close my eyes and enjoy the soundtrack.  Which was true enough, but there was nothing to worry about.  The music hits immediately and so does the joy.  This movie is full of love, love for life and music and fighting the power and humanity.  While there is no one defining, clear storyline, the events that transpire are nonetheless hilarious, emotional, and fun.  Sheer fun, that's what Pirate Radio is: it's irreverent and a little bit lewd and completely over-the-top.  But I think it represents the absolute truth of the way it feels to discover music for the first time and to fall in love.

I have no criticisms, no complaints.  I realize this is quite unusual.  I realize this review is rather unprofessional.  This isn't the greatest film anyone has ever made, it's just really, really good and a really good time.  The characters are instantly lovable, their struggles and their passions recognizable and real, their relationships perfectly crafted.  There are moments where I was literally on the edge of my seat, and other moments where I was doubled over laughing.  Pirate Radio is energetic, inspirational, exuberant.  Go see it now.