Tristram Shandy: A Cock and Bull Story

I am unfamiliar with the "classic" work of Laurence Sterne, The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman, published in Jane Austen-esc time period of England. The film, Tristram Shandy: A Cock and Bull Story, is sort of based on this book, which has been called, "the book that can't be done on film." Thus, the irony which is central to this movie.

Like, I said, all I know of the original text is from this movie. What I came to understand of Sterne's work is that it was written as a autobiography of Tristram Shandy. He begins his life story at the beginning, his conception. But then he gets so side tracked by the many rabbit trails or connected stories that can be inserted along the way that by the end of the book he only gets as far in his life story as his own birth. A proposed deeper meaning of the book is that life is so full and so complex that it truly cannot be captured on the pages of a book. Or perhaps it was just meant to be as shallow and as funny as a typical BBC comedy you can cath late at night on PBS. Anyway, from watching the film, this is my take on the book.

The first about half-hour of the film begins basically with a time period attempt to tell the Shandy story. It is dizzying, but fun and creative; like the book it seems to be going nowhere fast. Then the director yells, "Cut!" The film breaks into being about the making of a film about Shandy. The majority of the rest of the movie centers around Steve Coogan, the lead actor, and the making of the film about the book. He, along with producers, writers, the director and others, are trying to find purpose in the film and story while in mid-production, and how to save it from its path of a two-star future.

Well, I'd give Shandy about three-and-a-half-stars out of five. It is a film some people will absolutely love, and others will feel like they wasted an hour-and-a-half of their lives. It is a comedy with playful wit, and it contains substance as it explores not only the purpose of the film/story, but the purpose of life, perhaps, as well. Definitely in the category of an "art film," I'm glad I watched it. Every once in a while I need to see a flick that is not only entertaining, but unique and thought provoking. This fit for me, though I had to watch it by myself.

P.S. This is one where it's worth watching the credits.

Tobey's Review: B