GIVE MY REGARDS TO BROAD STREET
UK, 1984, 103 minutes, Colour.
Paul Mc Cartney, Bryan Brown, Ringo Starr, Barbara Bach, Linda Mc Cartney, Tracey Ullman, Ralph Richardson, George Martin.
Directed by Peter Webb.
Give My Regards to Broad Street is a star vehicle for Paul Mc Cartney. He wrote the script (which some reviewers referred to as 'therapeutic scriptwriting'). His music (both as a Beatle and later as part of Wings) pervades the film. Most of the old Beatle favourites are presented. Many of his modern songs have dramatic presentation (in the style of television specials).
The film is an old-fashioned British fantasy - a bit along the lines of A Hard Day's Night and Help. However, the young verve of the 1960s Beatles is missing from this film. The director is Peter Webb, a director from television commercials. He uses the vigorous and colourful commercial style - but with less range than Richard Lester did with the films of the '60s. The film has an interesting cast including Bryan Brown as Paul's Australian manager, Ringo Starr and his wife Barbara Bach have guest roles. Linda Mc Cartney appears in the musical segments. Ralph Richardson, in one of his final roles, is an old man in a tenement who offers Paul wise advice.
The film is slight, both old-fashioned and offbeat - and did not receive the acclaim that Paul Mc Cartney hoped for.
1. An entertaining film? A Paul Mc Cartney vehicle? The memories of the Beatles? Appreciation for Paul Mc Cartney's music? A film of the '80s - of a middle-aged man?
2. The focus on Paul Mc Cartney: the story, the scriptwriting, the music? McCartney's persona - past and present? Performance, singing, work with his wife Linda? An enjoyable Mc Cartney vehicle - or can the film be seen as something of an ego trip?
3. The importance of the music, its pervading the film? The range of songs, styles of performance, dramatising, choreography and decor? The blend of rock and roll and sweet music?
4. The old-fashioned plot: the reverie with its blend of reality and unreality? The life of a pop star, a celebrity? Agents, recording studios, sessions, television specials, radio interviews? Deadlines? The background of ex-convicts and crises? Dreams?
5. The visual styles - the influence of television commercials, television specials? Reality, dreams and nightmare? Rock music, punk, glitter? TV commercials and editing, pace, real and surreal?
6. The character of Paul as star as former Beatle, as composer, singer, celebrity? The importance of the radio interview and the interviewer's reaction, questions, Paul response, reflection on the meaning of his life, career, performance, impact? Middle age and pressure? Paul as a likable character?
7. Steve as the suave Australian agent? Supportive of Paul, anxious, pushy, handling situations? Friendship? His place in the fantasies - e.g. the Victorian picnic? Handling the crisis? Bryan Brown's presence and style?
8. Ringo Starr and Barbara Bach as guest stars? Their contribution - a bit like a home movie? Ringo as drummer? Barbara as journalist?
9. Harry and the ex-convict, Paul's consideration for him, employment, the suspicious flashbacks, Harry's suspicious behaviour. contacts, the master record, trustworthy or not? Harry and Sandra? Her punk style? Big Bob? The imagination and
reality? Harry at the railway station, being locked in the toilet, the deadpan irony of the finale?
10. The visit to Jim, Ralph Richardson and his style, age, friendship, advice?
11. The background of the recording industry: tapes, masters, problems of piracy. industry takeovers. board meetings, industrial espionage? The personalities of the record industry?
12. The personalities of the media workers - directors, interviewers. stagehands, choreographers?
13. Paul waking up - 'therapeutic' screenwriting? Dreams, fears, the celebrity in mid-life crisis?
