Doesn't look particular good to me. Looks more like an Americanised version of Britain (or Reading!?!) in the 70s, except it looks more like the 60s (no greenshield stamps or echo margarine). Ann Reid was pure Dandy Nicholls in Till Death Do Us Part. Oh well, at least I don't have to see Invention of Lying now.
I like Gervais and Merchant, but that just looked dull. Then Julia Davis appeared and I felt sick.
Quote: Dolly Dagger @ February 4 2010, 1:09 PM GMTHave you seen the trailer? It looks nothing the real Cemetery Junction. There's no Jack of Both Sides and Mr Cod.
The Jack? Thats old school! Its some funky student pub now!
I remember 20 years ago a huge black guy walk out the Jack, stole our microwave out the staffroom window and took it back in the pub to heat up his dinner while playing dominos.
We called the police and they said "leave it, we aren't going in there after a ratty old oven"
Quote: Damn His Duckpond @ February 4 2010, 8:57 PM GMTThen Julia Davis appeared and I felt sick.
Come on, get a grip.
I can imagine the knives being out for this before anyone even sees it.
I'm not so sure....Ghost Town was well liked and a lot of the buzz about TIOL was positive...until we saw it!
Quote: Dolly Dagger @ February 4 2010, 1:09 PM GMTHave you seen the trailer? It looks nothing the real Cemetery Junction. There's no Jack of Both Sides and Mr Cod.
And no Marquis of Granby either. I worked in CJ in a scuzzy little office once during a heatwave and the movie version sure looks like it's had a bit of pimpimg up. In fact I drove through it today and it looked nothing like this.
"Semmy terry junction" LOL at that.
I like RG & SM and have high hopes for this. Fingers crossed
Anyone seen it then? I'm a big fan of Gervais and Merchant but was a bit sceptical about it because I didnt rate Ghost Town or the Invention of Lying. However, I have to say I really enjoyed it! In interviews Gervais and Merchant mentioned that it was more of a drama and that if people are expecting laughs the whole way through there'l be disapointed - I have to say theyre completely underselling themseleves. Very funny film. There are laughs the whole way through with friendly, likeable characters. No, it doesn't capture the grittyness of living on a council estate in the 70's, butthat's not the point. Its meant to be an uplifting comedy-drama. IMO certainly worth a watch. 8.5/10 for me.
I like Gervais as a writer, but really dislike him as an actor. If this film has a relativity small part for him in it, I would probably enjoy it.
Love Gervais & Merchant as a writing team so hope this proves to be another fine example of their work.
Gervais (on his own) with the likes of Ghost Town, The Invention of Lying and such likes was total disappointment for me. 
Been waiting for CJ for some time, seriously looking forward to it 
I really enjoyed the film, the American influence is obvious but improves what could have easily been another dreary British movie. It looks lovely, is funny and sad and easy to watch.
It was a good watch. Not amazing, but well done and pretty funny.
I really liked it. Great casting and enjoyable to watch.
Finally watched this. Better than I had anticipated. Quite fun despite it looking nothing like the imagery evoked by Oscar Wilde's Ballad of Reading Gaol, although at least Wilde did get a mention, which is more than can be said for the 'Jack of Both Sides' pub. The highlight was the DVD's blooper reel, watching Gervais make an ass of himself to get the other actors corpsing.
Quote: Griff @ April 11 2011, 8:12 AM BSTIt wasn't filmed in Reading.
Sorry, I was trying to be ludicrous. Obviously a Gervais/Merchant film about coming of age in Reading in the 1970s shouldn't evoke images of:
Each narrow cell in which we dwell
Is a foul and dark latrine,
And the fetid breath of living Death
Chokes up each grated screen,
And all, but Lust, is turned to dust
In Humanity's machine.
The Cemetery Junction copshop's lock-up in the film seemed quite pleasant by comparison.
