Steve Coogan’s comic
creation Alan Partridge first appeared on spoof British news network The Day Today in 1994. Nearly twenty years
later Partridge makes the move to feature film (after a series of TV
appearances and a memoir) in Alpha Papa.
The film, a standard,
but very funny three act piece that plays with the action genre well is
enjoyable for its 90 minutes. But the real skill on screen here is in the durability
and consistency of Coogan’s Partridge. Coogan has never compromised on the
personality of Partridge and has carefully chosen those who write his dialogue.
The result is a film that feels like an organic development from the TV and
this is surely its greatest coup. They’ve not attempted to enlarge the story in
line with the screen; the narrative is one that Alan fits into very well and we
never question the progression, even when Alan becomes a pier end hostage negotiator.
Alpha Papa does not once drop the comedy ball and is very funny throughout. There
isn’t much more you could ask for from a comedy.
No comments:
Post a Comment