Blackpool, Lee Evans, Jerry Lewis and Oliver Platt converge in Funny Bones.
Here’s why it’s a film worth seeking out.
Why do all the best things in life belong to the past?
It didnt even receive a general release in the cinemas around my area.
It baffles me whyFunny Bonesfailed to find an audience and not become the British classic it deserved to be.
Unfortunately he is upstaged by the arrival of his father, legendary comedian George Fawkes.
Tommys act culminates in a sheep shagging joke that kills the set dead.
This hark back to a golden era of variety is shown in a series of audition montages.
Tommy Fawkes Blackpool auditions begin with a crush of people fighting over the free sandwiches.
The centre piece to this is a beach conversation between father and son.
On the beach George is oblivious to Tommys anger to the point that Tommy has to spell it out.
We were funny people, we didnt have to tell funny stories, we were funny.
We had funny bones.
And the thing that kills me the most is watching my own son flop, time after time.
Tommy, its time you knew, and this kills me the most, but youre neither.
Jokes are the only thing worthwhile in his life and his son cannot provide that.
An accident during a performance in his youth led to him being sectioned.
Jack was never allowed to perform legally in public again.
Comedy which often walks a thin line with tragedy, unless its bought.
The whole tone of the film evokes a nostalgic feeling.Funny Bonesconfronts nostalgic feelings head on.
After Jacks performance Tommy sees Katie singing, and this sparks a series of memories in him.
Tommys mother is in a bright yellow dress, pushing him in his bright red car.
Its the idyllic, perfect picture.
But we were happy right?
Why did we leave in such a hurry?
Why did we never see you again?
Does that destroy the memories?
If youve seenFunny Bones, Id recommend revisiting it.
If youve not seen it, then you have a duty to seek it out.
