A COCK AND BULL STORY

"No seriously, I love Gillian Anderson"

Rob Brydon

How do you adapt a novel to film when it has been deemed unfilmable? Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon are trying to answer that question with their version of 'The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Esq.' by Laurence Sterne but it is turning out to be as difficult as everyone said it was going to be. With a small budget that leads to large sections of the book been cut, much against screenwriter suggestion and the emphasis of the story constantly changing, it the behind the scenes shenanigans that are causing the most of the problems however.

Trying to adapt a novel that everyone said was unfilmable was always going to be a challenge so director Michael Winterbottom has done something completely different.

'The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Esq.' by Laurence Sterne was a book that was far ahead of its time with the lead character, Tristram, narrating and appearing in the story of his life. Scholars and critics considered adapting it to the silver screen impossible so the story had to be dealt with in a whole new way. Director Michael Winterbottom and stars Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon try to film part of the movie and then take you behind the scenes of them doing so.

In an ingenious move, some of the cast actually play a version of themselves. Both Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon play version of themselves as they shuffle for attention as the emphasis of the film continues to change. At first it is all about Steve's Tristram and Walter Shandy but as they realise that the film is not working Rob's Toby Shandy takes the lead. This, of course, causes some pandering and tension between the pair. This brings out the best of these comedic actors, with Steve wanting to be the bigger star because he's been to Hollywood and deserves it and Rob just seeing that as his opportunity to work with the woman he has adored, Gillian Anderson.

The rest of the cast is also a mix of people playing themselves and their parts in the adaptation or actors playing key roles who interact with Steve and Rob. Michael Winterbottom has gathered together an excellent ensemble cast that includes some of the best of British talent. Kelly Macdonald plays Jenny, Steve Coogan's girlfriend and Naomie Harris plays Jennie, the runner who has a crush on Steve. Jeremy Northam plays director Mark, Ian Hart is the writer and James Fleet is producer Simon. You also have Dylan Moran, Shirley Henderson and Tony Wilson playing versions of themselves. Almost stealing the show is Mark Williams is the historical battle expert who is totally obsessed with the authenticity of the battle sequence.

The movie isn't without its problems however. While the approach is very original, you might think at times that the film is trying to be too clever for its own good. This reduces the effectiveness of the comedy and at times makes the film seem far too overindulgent. When it hits however, the comedy is very good and very funny but it doesn't tend to get slight drowned out by the team wanting to seem more intelligent.

'A Cock and Bull Story' is a clever piece of inventive comedy that highlights the best and worst of British cinema. While it is very intelligent in execution, its pandering to the highbrow cinema alienates the majority of the audience because they are trying to appeal to the more artistic viewer. There is still a lot to enjoy here however but it does prove that the Tristram Sandy story is unfilmable.