angelophile | Movies to See Before You Die

In all honesty, I'm not sure how this bittersweet comedy would travel outside the UK – with its themes of impending unemployment and misery under the era of Thatcherism. But, since the main themes are universal – depression, love, pride – I would imagine it should be as watchable as the similarly themed "Full Monty".

Set in the northern town of Grimley in 1992, the story deals with the imminent closure of the town's coal mine - the area's only significant source of employment. As employment and the local economy threaten to collapse, the band play on – in this case, the Grimley Colliery Brass Band, under the watchful eye of Danny (Pete Postlethwaite), committed to the band in body and soul and seemingly oblivious to the troubles his band members, even his own son Phil (Stephen Tompkinson), whose world is collapsing around him as the debts build up and his wife and children abandon him.

It's a low point for all the members of the band – all workers at the Colleriery – and they believe that when the pit goes, they do too. This changes when Gloria walks into the rehearsal hall – rekindling a childhood relationship with the cocky Andy (Ewan McGregor).

As the nationwide Battle of the Bands Competition looms, the unexpectedly affecting music becomes a symbol of community spirit and pride. As the film progresses, each of the characters endure their own personal crisis, as well as the imminent mass unemployment and depression. There's plenty of bitter laughs to be had, but the humour grows surprisingly black after the light-hearted and clichéd beginning as Danny succumbs to health issues brought about by a life in the pit and Phil's own life goes from bad to worse, culminating in a scene that's as twistedly funny as it is heartbreaking. Although this movie comes from the same stable as years of Ealing Comedies and classics like The Full Monty, celebrating the triumph of ordinary people over adverse circumstances and officialdom, through their own determination and talent, there's a real bite and the sentimentality is closer to real heartbreaking tragedy.

In the end, although the setting is dour, the result is an undoubtedly angry yet frequently uplifting tale of community empowerment featuring an excellent cast of veteran British character actors. Pete Postlethwaite rules the roost, but Ewan McGregor is charming as ever, Tara Fizgerald extremely likable and not the traditional love interest, Stephen Thompkison is sublime as the tragic Phil, depicting his descent with real pathos and heart, and they're ably supported by a number of familiar faces and excellent performances from Jim Carter, Philip Jackson, Peter Martin, Sue Johnston and others.

See a clip here.