ecl@ahuta.UUCP (ecl) (01/08/85)
KIPPERBANG
A film review by Mark R. Leeper
This seems to be the month for nice simple little British comedies on
cable. In one month Showtime is offering KIPPERBANG, GREGORY'S GIRL, and
LOCAL HERO. These should perhaps be called "warmedies" rather than
comedies. "Warmedy" is a TV term for a comedy that stresses likable
characterization (like EIGHT IS ENOUGH). These films do the same, but
perhaps a little better. First up is Michael Apted's KIPPERBANG. This is a
film reminiscent of A CHRISTMAS STORY and perhaps SUMMER OF '42. Alan
Duckworth is fourteen years old and is low in esteem with the girls at
school. Lying in bed one morning, he unilaterally makes a deal with God
that he won't think about sex if God will arrange an opportunity for Alan to
kiss the best-looking girl in his class. Then the film follows him around
until the "miracle" takes place. Through the film we hear a cricket
announcer from somewhere inside Alan's mind running a commentary on Alan's
life as if it were a cricket match and Alan was a cricket champion. This
isn't a Blake Edwards film. There are no belly laughs, but the film is
solid chuckles and is at the same time very perceptive. If you were
wondering, the title is part of a nonsense phrase connected with some
never-explained game the boys play. This is one worth catching.
(Evelyn C. Leeper for)
Mark R. Leeper
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