Cemetery Junction

As a title, Cemetery Junction may sound somewhat eerie, but a horror film this most definitely is not. Yes! At long last, the ever so talented duo that is Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant are back, this time conquering the big screen with their film debut, taking form in this upbeat comedy drama.

Set in the early '70s in Gervais’s hometown of Reading, the film follows three twenty-somethings, Freddie (Cooke), ‘Snork’ (Doolan) and Bruce (Hughes), on their quests for success. Desperate to lead a different life to his father, Freddie begins work at a life-insurance company where we are introduced to his overbearing boss, Mr Kendrick (Fiennes). However, a chance meeting with his ex, Julie (Jones), combined with Freddie’s exposure to the heartless reality of his job, soon leaves him eagerly seeking a way out.

Cemetery Junction exudes the heart-warming qualities of The Office, with Merchant and Gervais continuing to demonstrate their ability to blend the humourous with the sentimental. They address the realism of the piece without adopting a depressing take on working class life, with a lot of credit going to the film’s great soundtrack. Unexpectedly, three newcomers take the lead roles, supported by a very strong cast. Gervais plays a smaller supporting role as Freddie’s father, Len, with his cringe worthy politically incorrect banter increasing the film’s laugh out loud moments. Office fans will also recognise some familiar faces, with beady-eyed viewers spotting a brief appearance from a certain perfectly round-headed Karl Pilkington. This feel-good film, described by Gervais as ‘a love letter to England,’ ultimately illustrates a younger generation’s search for something better. However, consumed by the stifling small-town mentality that surrounds them, our protagonists are in danger of never escaping.

Claire York