Film review
Bunny an the Bull (2009)
Written & Directed by Paul King
Cast: Edward Hogg, Simon Farnaby, Veronica Echegui, Julian Barratt, Noel Fielding, Richard Ayoade
Everybody is a little bit mad in their own special way; I have an unhealthy obsession with all things Nautical for example. Being a Pirate opened up a whole new world, even if the rape, pillage and plundering still elude me. Of course, being mad is a good thing in the modern world; some people make a solid career out of being clinically insane. Take The Mighty Boosh for example. Crazy stuff; a talking ape called Bollo, a shaman with a lisp, a Jazz enthusiast & an Electro boy don’t make a good example on paper, but brought to stage and screen it turns into comedy genius. If you’ve seen it, you’ll understand what I mean, unless you hated it which means you are wrong.
The latest project from the Mighty Boosh camp comes via their talented director Paul King in the form of “Bunny and the Bull”; a quirky tale told using common household clutter and a gaggle of comic genius. The story follows a recluse by the name of Stephen (Edward Hogg) who hasn’t left the house in a very long time. When he tries to leave his overly organised home one day, his best mate Bunny (Simon Farnaby) shows up to help retell their last adventure together. Turn the clock back a year, Bunny and Stephen decide to leave their dull lives behind them and venture head first into the sights and sounds of Europe. Along the way they meet an ill-tempered seafood waitress (Veronica Echegui), a Polish Dog Farmer (Julian Barratt) & a drunken Matador (Noel Fielding). All these odd encounters culminate into a story that tests true friendship, and true love, to the limit.
I like this film. I know that’s a very bold statement to push into frame so early on into the review but it has to be said. Firstly the story is very imaginative, it is quite complex compared to the far out Boosh. It still has the quirky going on but it doesn’t try to be unrealistic. It only seems out of this world because of the imaginative use of props and scenery. As Stephen ventures around his flat, the next part of the adventure is told using the items that are near him e.g. newspaper snow, toy cars, Snow Globe Mountains. Ingenious work Mr. King.
The characters fit into this papier-mâché perfectly; their dull lives seem redeemed as they venture into the unknown with new purpose. Edward Hogg & Simon Farnaby work well as a pair, being friends in real life helps pull it off when playing to the screen, big or small. The quips from Bunny are sure to make anybody laugh, take this for example. When Bunny is trying to convince Stephen to place a bet on a horse:
Boosh make an appearance throughout the story as various incarnations, Julian Barratt as a Polish Dog Farmer stands out as my highlight of the film. His broken English is very convincing, a role he takes on quite regular now a days. Richard Ayoade, Noel Fielding and Rich Fulcher have there part to play in story progression, culminating in a hilarious Matador training scene involving alcohol and a shopping trolley.
The movie had a fairly good budget, and utilised it incompletely! I’m not surprised to hear a rumour that they were way under budget, I hope it’s true. Production is to a high standard and it shows in the Blu-Ray version of the film; colourful, vibrant and a great soundtrack to boot, A feast for the eyes as it were. It all blends together in such a way that you soon forget about the homemade landscapes until the next one turns up to astound you. I don’t usually comment on costume design but when you involve such a group as The Mighty Boosh, you can’t leave it out. From glittery bullfighting clobber, to shellfish ensembles, nothing is kept to a minimum. A lot of work has gone into making everything seem correct in a greatly imagined world, hats off to the costume department.
As I said, I really like this film, I do. The mix of the bizarre and truly god damned weird appeals to me and a truly base level, ok, for me that’s quite normal. If you liked the original Boosh work, along with other things like The IT Crowd & The Flight of the Conchords, you will enjoy this film and should appreciate it as much as I do. On the other hand, if you didn’t enjoy such things then this will easily get tedious and boring. The plot is fantastic but as with everything, it has its flaws. Original ideas don’t stand out and old fashion jokes haven’t been re-engineered enough to be present in such a film. Overall, this film will leave you with a good feeling and is well worth the price, even if it’s only rental.
3/5
Alex Errey
YEAH
Bunny an the Bull (2009)
Written & Directed by Paul King
Cast: Edward Hogg, Simon Farnaby, Veronica Echegui, Julian Barratt, Noel Fielding, Richard Ayoade
Everybody is a little bit mad in their own special way; I have an unhealthy obsession with all things Nautical for example. Being a Pirate opened up a whole new world, even if the rape, pillage and plundering still elude me. Of course, being mad is a good thing in the modern world; some people make a solid career out of being clinically insane. Take The Mighty Boosh for example. Crazy stuff; a talking ape called Bollo, a shaman with a lisp, a Jazz enthusiast & an Electro boy don’t make a good example on paper, but brought to stage and screen it turns into comedy genius. If you’ve seen it, you’ll understand what I mean, unless you hated it which means you are wrong.
The latest project from the Mighty Boosh camp comes via their talented director Paul King in the form of “Bunny and the Bull”; a quirky tale told using common household clutter and a gaggle of comic genius. The story follows a recluse by the name of Stephen (Edward Hogg) who hasn’t left the house in a very long time. When he tries to leave his overly organised home one day, his best mate Bunny (Simon Farnaby) shows up to help retell their last adventure together. Turn the clock back a year, Bunny and Stephen decide to leave their dull lives behind them and venture head first into the sights and sounds of Europe. Along the way they meet an ill-tempered seafood waitress (Veronica Echegui), a Polish Dog Farmer (Julian Barratt) & a drunken Matador (Noel Fielding). All these odd encounters culminate into a story that tests true friendship, and true love, to the limit.
I like this film. I know that’s a very bold statement to push into frame so early on into the review but it has to be said. Firstly the story is very imaginative, it is quite complex compared to the far out Boosh. It still has the quirky going on but it doesn’t try to be unrealistic. It only seems out of this world because of the imaginative use of props and scenery. As Stephen ventures around his flat, the next part of the adventure is told using the items that are near him e.g. newspaper snow, toy cars, Snow Globe Mountains. Ingenious work Mr. King.
The characters fit into this papier-mâché perfectly; their dull lives seem redeemed as they venture into the unknown with new purpose. Edward Hogg & Simon Farnaby work well as a pair, being friends in real life helps pull it off when playing to the screen, big or small. The quips from Bunny are sure to make anybody laugh, take this for example. When Bunny is trying to convince Stephen to place a bet on a horse:
Boosh make an appearance throughout the story as various incarnations, Julian Barratt as a Polish Dog Farmer stands out as my highlight of the film. His broken English is very convincing, a role he takes on quite regular now a days. Richard Ayoade, Noel Fielding and Rich Fulcher have there part to play in story progression, culminating in a hilarious Matador training scene involving alcohol and a shopping trolley.
The movie had a fairly good budget, and utilised it incompletely! I’m not surprised to hear a rumour that they were way under budget, I hope it’s true. Production is to a high standard and it shows in the Blu-Ray version of the film; colourful, vibrant and a great soundtrack to boot, A feast for the eyes as it were. It all blends together in such a way that you soon forget about the homemade landscapes until the next one turns up to astound you. I don’t usually comment on costume design but when you involve such a group as The Mighty Boosh, you can’t leave it out. From glittery bullfighting clobber, to shellfish ensembles, nothing is kept to a minimum. A lot of work has gone into making everything seem correct in a greatly imagined world, hats off to the costume department.
As I said, I really like this film, I do. The mix of the bizarre and truly god damned weird appeals to me and a truly base level, ok, for me that’s quite normal. If you liked the original Boosh work, along with other things like The IT Crowd & The Flight of the Conchords, you will enjoy this film and should appreciate it as much as I do. On the other hand, if you didn’t enjoy such things then this will easily get tedious and boring. The plot is fantastic but as with everything, it has its flaws. Original ideas don’t stand out and old fashion jokes haven’t been re-engineered enough to be present in such a film. Overall, this film will leave you with a good feeling and is well worth the price, even if it’s only rental.
3/5
Alex Errey
YEAH
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