(L-r) Rob Brydon and Steve Coogan star in Picture House Films’ Tristram Shandy: A Cock and Bull Story, © 2006.
An adaptation of the notoriously unfilmmable (and according to many, unreadable) 18th Century novel The Life And Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman; A Cock and Bull Story is a psuedo-mockumentary in which the filmmakers attempt to bring the literary work to the screen. A decent attempt at satire, the Shandy film seems to have been a concoction of good intentions; one in which the circular narrative story-line is intertwined within documentary-like modern observations by cast and crew on-set. Unfortunately, if good intentions made a great film, then everything I review would be a four star picture.
The DVD opens with a menu screen borrowed from the artwork and animation stylings of Monty Python; and leaves one eager for dry observational humor and British satire. However, once the film is underway, one is left to realize that the inspiration for this picture comes from a much more distinguished place.
What begins as a narrated adaptation of the source novel quickly falls into the petty problems of it’s cast and crew: Steve Coogan (as a satirical version of himself) faces such dilemmas as his wardrobe not making him taller than his co-star (on obvious comparison to his insecurities of not being the “bigger” man), and later must deal with his girlfriend, Jenny, and newborn son. Through conversations Coogan has with various cast and crew, he alludes to the fact that not only has he been unfaithful to his girlfriend, but also wishes to keep his sexual escapades from entering the tabloids. To further complicate matters, Coogan is sexually attracted to his assistant (Jennie with an I and E), and sprinkled intermittently are a few awkward encounters between them. The possibility of Coogan comparing the relationship between him and his newborn son to that of Tristan and his father (from the novel) is a possibility; but one can only assume this as the film asks viewers to draw their own conclusions. Sprinkled within are a few amusing set pieces (one dealing with Coogan hanged within a womb; possibly comparing his behavior to that of a small child), another compares co-star Rob Brydon’s line delivery to that of Roger Moore. But in the end, the viewer is left little to learn of the source novel. While this may be on purpose, one wonders what the point of this project really is; and why it wasn’t conceived as a short film.
Many themes are borrowed (heavily) from 8 ½; and while Cock And Bull doesn’t offer observations on filmmaking as deep as Fellini’s work; it does allow the viewer into the difficult task of adapting such an unfocused literary work. That said; I can only recommend the film to ardent fans of the novel, and not the casual movie goer.
Overall, Cock and Bull has some good ideas and intentions, but as the original novel is famous for it’s lack of focus, so goes the film; and for that reason, the poor actors are lost in it. One can assume this is only on purpose; but to intentionally make a film that confuses and rambles does not make for an evening of entertainment. Rent And God Spoke: The Making Of or State and Main instead.
A mixed bag.
Extended cameos from Gilian Anderson (The X Files) and Jeremy Northam (Happy Texas).
SPECIAL FEATURES
A faux interview/deleted scene from the film (which is hinted at during the film itself, through voice over), in which Steve Coogan is interviewed
3 DELETED SCENES
4 SCENE EXTENSIONS
AUDIO COMMENTARY with stars Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon
2 behind the scenes featurettes, including; “A Tour of Shandy Hall” which seems to be another deleted scene from the film masquerading as real on-set footage; and a short, two minute montage of the actors and crew on-set
Theatrical Trailer
Sadly, the extra features are few and far between; and leaves one scratching their head as to WHAT exactly was the intention of this project. A more serious “making of”, or director commentary would have been appreciated.
Rated R for language and sexual content.
Running time 94 minutes.