Save your money for something good and enjoyable

Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.

It's easily one of the freshest, sharpest and most enjoyable films of this year.

The story, direction, characters, and writing/dialogue is akin to taking a tranquilizer shot to the neck, but everything else was so well done.

Far from it. Don't be fooled by the slightly corny title, the unappealing cover and the misleading advertising that make 'Brassed Off' a lot less than what it actually is. 'Brassed Off' is not a feel good film, nor is it a witty laugh-a-minute comedy with laid on too thick politics to boot.Essentially it is a drama with lots of different elements that helps give it layers, it balances all beautifully and it does know what it wants to be and what it's wanting to be. It has been compared to 'The Full Monty', personally put them on the same level quality-wise but as they are very different films ('The Full Monty' being more feel-good and comedic with some drama in the mix, 'Brassed Off' is more dramatic and emotionally powerful) they are to be judged in their own way.'Brassed Off' has gritty production values while never looking cheap, never trying to be a film on a lavish scale nor did it ever need to be, it's not that kind of film. The music sequences, this is not a musical, are beautifully staged and often powerful, it is impossible too to fault the music itself and how it's played. Or be moved by the "Danny Boy" scene, it over time takes a lot for me to cry, that scene got me.Mark Herman gives the drama and music sequences an edgy pace that is necessary and remarkably executed. The script is cleverly balanced and a finely written script in general, a great mix of acerbic humour, drama that's hard-hitting and tender and politics that never gets heavy-handed (personally didn't have a problem with the delivery of the ending).The story is dramatically powerful and heart-wrenching, while sometimes reminiscent of an Ealing film. That it doesn't finish on a pat and sentimental note, and actually hinting at something more grim and darker, was much appreciated.Nothing to fault the performances too. Ewan McGregor and Tara Fitzgerald are strong in subdued roles. Pete Postlethwaite and Stephen Tompkinson on the other hand are absolutely brilliant, Postlethwaite has rarely been more moving and Tompkinson gives a performance of a lifetime in the film's most complex role. The characters have been criticised for being stereotypes, personally found them very interesting and could really relate to their conflicts.Overall, a wonderful film that is so much more than one would think if seeing it advertised. 10/10 Bethany Cox

This is British Cinema at its very best and has been my favourite film of all time since I first saw it on the big screen. I cannot think of two more powerful performances committed to celluloid than those of Peter Postlethwaite and Stephen Tompkinson. There is so much emotion in "Brassed Off" that anyone who fails to be moved must have a heart of stone...if indeed they have a heart at all. People I know (or reviews I have read) that didn't like the film have criticised the intense political messages within it, but in my opinion these folk are missing the point entirely. It's true that there is a fierce undercurrent of anti right wing leaning running through the movie, but to portray the characters any other way would be factually inaccurate. Some may view Thatcher as a Saint, but characters like those in Brassed Off can only ever view her as an evil tyrant. Anyway I'm going off on a tangent now. My point is this: Brassed Off is a very humane picture that paints a picture of early eighties folk who have been robbed of their livelihood, yet still manages to be funny, charming, heartwarming, heartbreaking and uplifting at the same time. A truly wonderful film.

For any American worker who may be feeling a bit under-appreciated – relax! No one does working-class anger and analysis like our British cousins from across the sea. Brassed Off takes place in Grimley, a small mining village in Worchestershire, England, threatened by the possibility of their mine closing. Tara Fitzgerald plays Gloria Mullen, a surveyor for the Grimley Mining Company, whose job is to create a study that she thinks will keep Grimley open and save jobs. "My figures show Grimley has a future. It's a profitable pit," she tells Andy, her friend, fellow band member, and old flame. Ewan MacGregor, as Andy Barrow, is one hard realist who schools her in the ways of management's shady plans over coffee one night."You're report means as much to them as we do. . . bugger all. . . And those good eggs at the head office think they've done all they can. Oh dear. . . they've been very fair, very reasonable. Done their best, done their sums and - oh dear - they just don't add up! They'll have to close another pit – a shame – and they probably made their decision why you were still in college." Gloria can't understand why Andy will vote to keep the mine open then, if the majority of miners will be voting for "redundancy" - to close the mine and take a buy-out. "No hope – just principles", he replies. Amid the backdrop of this drama, Gloria and Andy's budding relationship suffers a few bumps and bruises along the way. A few of the more vocal Grimley Colliery Brass Band members accuse Andy of being a scab and Gloria a management sellout until almost the bitter end. The film intersperses strike scenes and family crisis's with rousing band numbers, as they practice for a musical competition. The late – and great – Peter Postlethwaite, portrays Danny, the orchestra's leader – in good times and bad. The musical numbers represent the spirit of the town as the villagers grapple with their pressure and problems. He encourages the band members to keep going, no matter what, even if it means the further deterioration of his own poor health. Danny believes that the band can win fist prize, which symbolizes their collective spirit - undaunted and unbowed.During her viability study report to management, Gloria discovers that Andy's predictions are all-too accurate, right down to the timing of their decision to close Grimley. Gloria discovers that she too has principles and resigns her cushy position, which ultimately enables the band to travel to the band finals at Albert Hall. The band plays on, all the way to Albert Hall, even though many of the members are cynical and demoralized, knowing that their lives will be forever changed as a result of management's callous actions. And although Grimley closes, Danny and Gloria are able to rally the Grimley Brass Banders to play their hearts out in London at the National Band Competition, winning first place. Danny: ". . .over the last ten years, this bloody government has systematically destroyed an entire industry. OUR industry. And not just our industry - our communities, our homes, our lives. All in the name of "progress". And for a few lousy bob. I'll tell you something else you might not know, as well. A fortnight ago, this band's pit were closed - another thousand men lost their jobs. And that's not all they lost. Most of them lost the will to win a while ago. A few of them even lost the will to fight. But when it comes to losing the will to live, to breathe, the point is - if this lot were seals or whales, you'd all be up in bloody arms. But their not, are they, no, no they're not. They're just ordinary common-or-garden honest, decent human beings. And not one of them with an ounce of bloody hope left. Oh aye, they can knock out a bloody good tune. But what the f*#k does that matter? And now I'm going to take my boys out onto the town. Thank you." See what I mean?

May he rest in Peace!This was the best brass music film I have ever seen and it wouldn't be the same without the ill conductor,who overcame his illness and came to conduct the miner's orchestra of the already fired workers of a closed coal mine.The movie enlightens with the beautiful brass music-especially the "William Tell's overture" from Rossini and the spirit of the musicians,who won a nationwide contest of brass orchestras and dedicated their victory to all the miners,who lost their work during the decline of the coal mining in the United Kingdom. The film shows the importance of the art for the existence of the sole human and the society even in times of turmoil.