Cemetry Junction 4/5

Youthful angst and blue-collar aspiration are delightfully depicted in comedy juggernaut Ricky Gervais' latest offering: Cemetry Junction. The tribulations of three pals: loveable rogue Bruce (Tom Hughes) wannabe middle class and hapless salesman Freddy (Christian Cooke) and the socially inept ‘Snork' make for hilarious, warm, yet gripping viewing.

Previous big screen outings from Ricky Gervias – The Invention of Lying, Ghost Town – have been pleasant enough viewing but lacklustre by the high standards set by The Office et al. Re-united with creative partner Steve Merchant, however, Cemetry Junction bares all the hallmarks of a Gervais-Merchant masterpiece – astutely observed social awkwardness, tender human relationships and concise enough to leave you wanting more.

Protagonist Freddy is torn between the trappings of middle-class suburbia and a yearning for adventure and excitement. Whilst outwardly boasting of his new, white-collar occupation as a Life Insurance Salesman, he knows it's not the path for him. Aside from the small stumbling block of being a rubbish Salesman, Freddy knows he will never fit in with the likes of greasy ‘Salesman of the Year' Mike (Mathew Goode) who gives Freddy a golden nougat of sales training on his first day: “make sure the smell of death is never far away”.

Freddy's best mate Bruce is the antithesis – desperately trying to convince himself that he is content toiling in a factory, living for the weekend when he does his best James Dean impression: drinking, fighting and womanizing. Yet Bruce is a highly principled and endearing rogue, frequently sticking up for bumbling mate ‘Snork' and trying to improve his fortunes with women.

Ultimately, Cemetry Junction is a coming of age tale, which sees the three characters reconcile their inner demons in a genuinely touching finale. Teamed brilliantly with music from Elton John, Led Zeppelin and Slade, Cemetry Junction deftly balances hilarity and sadness, more than living up to Gervias' billing as ‘English Saturday Night Fever'.

by Rob Glasspool

 

Copyright © 2008 The Big Issue South West. All Rights Reserved