David Brent: Life on the Road

Loved it. Life on the Road updates us on the life of David Brent. Repping for Lavichem as a day job while planning his holiday touring in and around Reading with his band, Foregone Conclusion. Gervais seamlessly slips back into character as the Brentmeister General. He's as funny and awkward and face-saving as he's ever been. You have to have been a fan of The Office and David Brent to fully appreciate the film, though new characters are introduced as a substitute for Dawn, Tim, Finchy, and Gareth. Much of the awkwardness and source of comedy is reused from the show and from what we already know of the character, which is not as creatively lacking as immediately perceived as it is indicative of Brent's lack of social nous that he keeps slipping up on the same proverbial banana. The change from viewing David as a "berk" to spinning him as the underdog with good intentions is somewhat rushed, but this is an editing/timing issue (minor niggle). I cannot remember any recent film where I smiled so much throughout. Life on the Road is a little film with great heart - and a high rewatchability factor - where Gervais managed to retain the feeling of the sitcom while upping the production and scope to film level. And its score is one of the best of the year.

A

It is unfortunate that "Lonely Cowboy", "Free Love Freeway", and "Spaceman" are not featured in the film. But some great new tracks are, including "Ooh La La", "Life on the Road", "Slough", "Thank Fuck It's Friday", "Ain't No Trouble", and the final song, "Electricity", co-sung by Chris Martin, and was the only song on the entire album that I hadn't heard prior to seeing the film.

This is now on Netflix, so I expect some more reviews...

So, nobody else saw this?!!