Asif Khan (asifahsankhan)
Improbable smiles dot the ads for non-comedies from ''Mrs. Brown'' to ''In the Company of Men,'' but in fact this summer at the movies has been no laughing matter. Not until ''The Full Monty,'' the irresistible tale of unemployed steelworkers in Sheffield, England, who contrive a bold money making scheme. Shy, gruff or paunchy as they are, these middle-aged men are persuaded to try stripping to raise funds and bolster damaged self-esteem. Brightly acted and casually hilarious, ''The Full Monty'' exploits this gimmick in witty, trenchant ways that are always generous, never cruel.Robert Carlyle might seem like a strange choice to play Gaz, if you remember him only from "Trainspotting," but one of his first roles was in Ken Loach's "Riff-Raff," which took place mostly on a construction site where the itinerant workers lived off the land. He has a daring here, as if he's walking on a wire and won't fall if he doesn't look down. He doesn't know himself if his plan has been inspired by courage, or bravado."The Full Monty" is about more than inventiveness in the face of unemployment. It's about ordinary blokes insisting that their women regard them as men--job or no job. If they're reduced to stripping to pay the bills, well, a lot of women know all about that. This is the undertone, and yet the movie develops a broad, healthy band of humor. It's bawdy, but also gentle and good-hearted, and I felt affection for the characters.
areatw
'The Full Monty' is a very funny 90s comedy with some classic British humour. It achieves most of its laughs through the hilarious dialogue and awkward friendship between the 6 main characters. The main two, played by Robert Carlyle and Mark Addy, are very funny together - a dumb but likable duo who can't seem to get anything right.Despite the silly plot, this is a film with a big heart. It's easy to sympathise with the characters and their situation, especially Carlyle's character who just needs to make a quick buck so he can continue seeing his son. This is a very old-school comedy but it remains funny to this day. Anybody who likes British humour who hasn't seen 'The Full Monty' should definitely give it a watch.
suewarren-74680
This film was just shown on BBC1 in honour of its 20th anniversary of release, and it deserves it. It's charming, very funny, touching, and speaks to the reality of being unemployed with little chance of employment in a depressed economy. It should be soul-destroying, yet these men keep trying and, ultimately, succeed.*big spoiler warning* What I love most is that they don't suddenly turn into the world's best dancers/strippers. That's not what it's all about. It's about friendship, fatherhood, marriage and unexpected love. Such a lovely film with a sensational soundtrack as a bonus. I seriously hope Hollywood won't try to turn it into a 'feel-good' movie with model-pretty actor/dancers. *shudder*The actors here are completely believable as ordinary, working class men just trying to survive. Robert Carlyle is, as always, amazing. Probably best known now as Rumplestiltskin in 'Once Upon a Time', his acting history is impeccable, as is his Yorkshire accent. Like David Tennant, another Scot, he is a chameleon. I look forward to seeing everything he does.
Python Hyena
The Full Monty (1997): Dir: Peter Cattaneo / Cast: Robert Carlyle, Mark Addy, Tom Wilkinson, Paul Barber, Steve Huison: Hilarious British comedy about self outlook and going beyond goal or initial challenge. What makes the film so great is its casting of actors who are clearly not models. Robert Carlyle struggles for visitation rights with his son. Mark Addy plays a security guard worried about his weight. Tom Wilkinson lost everything to taxes and is harassed into giving dance lessons. Paul Barber might have once been a great dancer. After endless days at the job bank Carlyle suggests a one night strip tease, which leads to side-splitting mayhem. Great concept with an inspiring take on the average male but director Peter Cattaneo does careful cutting. Carlyle is fantastic in a role that is so different from his role in Trainspotting. Addy upholds the overweight people with a wife who looks beyond. Wilkinson loses his marriage when taxes become unbearable but he ultimately pulls everything together. Barber has back problems but can dance better than any of them. Steve Huison plays another member of the group and his mother passes away at one point. This is one film to cheer for but it also presents perhaps the best comedy situations in a film the whole year. No one need be ashamed of their physical self after these guys deliver the full monty. Score: 9 / 10
AD
