By Frankey and Mai
Directed by: Ricky Gervais
Running time: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Frankey says:
Cheesy, heartwarming goodness comes somewhat predictably packed in this latest big-screen production of Ricky Gervais’ memorable character, David Brent. Although at times awkwardly cringeworthy, the film manages to remain endearing to the very end. Like much of Gervais’ work, the humour plays out like a supporting act to some rather real issues of life and the pursuit of happiness. I know it’s generally unnecessary to invoke introspection in the face of a comedy, but Gervais does well to intertwine grounded elements of the struggles of fitting in. Despite being tortuously monotonous and laboured for the most part, it’s good enough for a casual laff.
Mai says:
Ricky Gervais’ mockumentary Life of David Brent was cheesy and more often than not cringeworthy. Gervais creates a film whereby humor of discomfort is the genre du jour. As an audience we are left unsure if we should be laughing or hanging our heads in our hands from sheer mortification on Brent’s behalf. The film is redeemable for short stints where we simply see a lonely tragically awkward figure. His chase for fame and as such, acceptance is endearingly human and relatable however the repeated jokes and tittering laughter of his character becomes grating. The style of writing is more appropriate for a television episode, but for a full length movie it eventually became laborious.
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