Pirate Radio

Pirate Radio is a high-spirited, laugh-out-loud ensemble comedy from filmmaker Richard Curtis (screenwriter of Four Weddings and a Funeral and Notting Hill, and writer/director of Love Actually), spinning the irreverent yet fact-based tale of a seafaring band of rogue rock and roll deejays whose "pirate radio" captivated and inspired 1960s Britain. Broadcasting live 24/7 from an old tanker anchored in the middle of the North Sea (just beyond British jurisdiction), Radio Rock sends out a vibrant and unifying signal to millions across the nation. The Radio Rock roster, overseen by unflappable station owner Quentin (Bill Nighy), includes a risk-prone American known only as The Count (Philip Seymour Hoffman); mystic deejay royalty Gavin (Rhys Ifans); slyly amorous Dave (Nick Frost) and others. One night in 1966, Quentin's teenaged godson Carl (Tom Sturridge) comes aboard. While Carl harbors romantic aspirations that he hopes will be fulfilled during one of the biweekly visits by Radio Rock's prettiest fans, he also hopes to find out more about his long-absent father… As the ship sails on and rocks out, what Carl and the freewheeling, free-loving Radio Rock gang don't know is that back in London, a landlocked government minister (Kenneth Branagh) has embarked on a vehement crusade to silence their signal—permanently.  

Director:

Richard Curtis 

Cast:

Philip Hoffman, Bill Nighy, Rhys Ifans, Nick Frost, Kenneth Branagh, Tom Sturridge, Chris O'Dowd, Tom Brooke, Rhys Darby, Will Adamsdale, Katherine Parkinson, Talulah Riley, Jack Davenport, Gemma Arterton, January Jones, Ralph Brown, Tom Wisdom

Reviews:

San Francisco Chronicle, Mick LaSalle

Chicago Sun-Times, Roger Ebert

Seattle PI, Eric D. Snider