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The Full Monty (1997)

A review by Damian Cannon.
Copyright © Movie Reviews UK 1997
Set in the industrial ruins of once-booming Sheffield, The Full Monty is a movie of piebald emotion and some insight into the plight of the unemployed. From the upbeat but scratchy documentary that introduces The Full Monty, Sheffield was once clearly a town of promise. Resting upon the foundation of premium steel, this was judged to be a fine place in which to raise a family. Twenty-five years later Gaz (Robert Carlyle) is taking his son Nathan (William Snape) on a scavenging mission around the abandoned metal-works. Previously his work-place, now Gaz, and his mate Dave (Mark Addy), are reduced to swiping rusty iron girders. They can't, however, get even this right; their rustling activities are upset by the incongruous appearance of the works band.

Depressed and dripping with self-pity, Gaz and Dave trudge back to their respective homes. Their journey is, however, interrupted at the local men's club by a line thick with screaming women. As Gaz disparagingly notes, they're gathered together for the phenomenon that is the Chippendales -- an opportunity for the women to act like men. Just how far this transformation has progressed surprises even Gaz; hiding in the toilet he sees one of the ladies urinate while standing, a true feat of physical control. This is not the reason for Gaz's secretive presence though -- he's trying to persuade Nathan to find Dave's missus and drag her from the screaming horde. Fortuitously, the sight of this baying mob gives Gaz an intriguing idea.

Instead of wasting time with menial jobs, Gaz reckons that there's good money to be made emulating the Chippendales. Unfortunately neither Gaz nor Dave can dance and they're both far from the ideals of physical perfection. Undaunted, and spurred on by the incentive of paying off his child maintenance, Gaz convinces Dave to think about his proposition. Their next catch is Lomper (Steve Huison), a suicidal nerd redeemed by his ability to play the trumpet. They still have no rhythm though, so Gaz makes peace with their formerly despised foreman Gerald (Tom Wilkinson), since he can ballroom dance. Finally, ramshackle auditions net the prodigiously endowed Guy (Hugo Speer) and the smooth-moving, if somewhat ancient, Horse (Paul Barber). Let the practice commence.

The Full Monty's target audience is quite clear from the start and, to director Peter Cattaneo's credit, he ruthlessly pursues them -- this film is pure joy for those who would pay to see the Chippendales. Fortunately, to make his creation more palatable to the rest of us, writer Simon Beaufoy hits just the right note of desperation. Sheffield has become a grimy, diminished locale and the script reflects this loss of status (for both individual and community). The experience of being on the dole and surplus to requirements, the loss of hope and dignity, is authentically recreated. Even though there are jobs available, the men feel that they're somehow below them; anyone who does take up this sort of work is castigated and put under peer-pressure for "selling-out"; these guys are a self-fulfilling, but understandable, prophecy.

The keystone of The Full Monty is Carlyle, despite all indications that this is an ensemble picture. Central to the film, there is the feeling that without Gaz's presence the entire story would drift apart. Fortunately Carlyle injects both pathos and determination (when his back is against the wall) into the role. Like his friends Gaz has been ground down by the indignities of life, yet there is one thing that he will fight for -- Nathan. In the commonly tricky role of movie kid, Snape performs with spirit and innocence. The remainder of the cast are comfortable and believable, amusing where necessary despite their stock persona. Regrettably though The Full Monty just doesn't develop its characters, leaving a wealth of loose ends but no understanding of where the central figures have come from or where they're going.

What The Full Monty also has going for it, apart from natural acting, is that it's easy to watch. There are no long-term solutions on offer, but instead a feel-good atmosphere that closes on the perfect high-point. So while the end result is rather shallow, the proceedings have a pleasingly amateur quality. However, the good but lazy script significantly hampers the film; for example, a throwaway remark indicates that Gaz has served time in jail, yet this is never mentioned again, even when the police become involved. Still, at least Beaufoy remains true to his characters and their roots, right up to the end. When the fun and groovy soundtrack is included for consideration, The Full Monty comes out as a reasonably witty film of redemption and fulfilment. In other words, it'll make you laugh and smile.

This film was nominated for review by Malakite14.

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