Simply Perfect

Absolutely the worst movie.

Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.

Through painfully honest and emotional moments, the movie becomes irresistibly relatable

The end of the '80's saw Harry Enfield finally an established name thanks to his appearances on 'Saturday Live'. This one off comedy special - 'Norbert Smith - A Life' - was written by Enfield in collaboration with Geoffrey Perkins and was a mockumentary piece following the career of Norbert Smith, a 'luvvie' type film actor who in his twilight years lives in unhappy retirement following the decline of his successful film career.Interviewing the the doddery old ham is Melvyn Bragg whilst playing his wife his Renee Asherton. The British film industry is sent up something rotten, spoofs of films such as 'Cool Hand Luke' and 'Brief Encounter' are seen here, though the best item of all is a film segment entitled 'It's Grim Up North!', set in the run down Nothern areas of Yorkshire ( ''I'll take me bloody belt to you!'' ).Seen alongside Enfield in the film spoofs are Josie Lawrence, Felicity Montagu, Susan Field, Joe McGann, Peter Goodwright and Moray Watson among others.It was not outstanding but it was very funny, apart from a 'Carry On' spoof featuring Barbara Windsor leading a feminist protest outside Greenham Common, and it paved the way for Enfield's weekly comedy series which would soon make his name and fortune - 'Harry Enfield's Television Programme'.'Norbert Smith - A Life' is not one of Enfield's best remembered efforts, which is a pity as it is far more deserving of an accolade than his most recent 'The Windsors'.

NORBERT SMITH, A LIFE is an absolutely priceless send-up not only of British films over the years, but of the worshipful documentaries that cable and public TV companies crank out from time to time. (Using Melvyn Bragg as the narrator, doing exactly the kind of thing he was doing at the time on "The South Bank Show," was an inspiration, and kudos to Lord Bragg for being a good sport.) The film parodies are all spot-on, but the scene from the World War II action flick (with Sir Norbert finding an excuse to guzzle a glass of wine in every single shot), and the identical scenes from each of Sir Norbert's composer biopics (BEETHOVEN, MAN OF MUSIC; LIZST, MAN OF MUSIC; ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER, MAN OF MUSIC) are especially hilarious.And by the way, chalk me up as another member of the I Used to Have This on Videotape But I Lost It Somehow Club. What I wouldn't give to find a copy to replace the one I had!

Thinking back to this now, it is hard to believe that Harry Enfield would go onto produce such low grade trash. This spoof documentary is an absolute piece of comic genius. Packed with loads of truly clever subtle jokes about the nature of the film, television and theatre world. Sir Norbert is a composite of a number of well known giants of the thespian world. They have lovingly spoofed some of the greatest films from a range of different film genres. If you are British you will have great fun working out just who and what the writers are referencing. Everything is done to perfection. The look and feel of each "film" is spot on. The best has to be the early 60's working-class-life film, "It's Grim Up North". Quote, "I'm going out to fly me whippets". I used to have this on tape too, but it's long gone and as far as I know has never been repeated. A great shame.

Highly recommended. The parodies are dead on accurate; the performances are first rate. (Favorite moment: when Lady Norbert interrupts Sir Norbert during the suitcase story.) Put together with great attention to detail. (Watch for the editing and continuity errors in the Richard Burton war film parody.) I only wish it were available on video. I had a copy once and lost it.