February 18–25, 1999

movie shorts

Still Crazy

Strange Fruit is a fictional version of the bands that show up on one of those cringe-making VH1 "Where are they now?'' shows. The bickering members haven't seen each other since a fateful last concert in 1977, and then the keyboardist (Stephen Rea) gets the bright idea for a reunion. With the help of PA Juliet Aubrey, he tracks down the survivors, none of whom are doing anything they like. All agree to a test-the-waters small clubs tour in Holland: they hire a young hotshot guitarist, ride a bus, stay in cheap hotels, fight and reminisce, and—eventually—confront their middle aging. The film takes cues from Spinal Tap and The Commitments (which was written by this film's team, Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais), in its affectionate digs at rock stardom, the bruising ego clashes, exhilarating creative bursts, and tedious details of road-tripping. Amiably directed by Brian Gibson (What's Love Got To Do With It?), Still Crazy takes its nostalgia seriously (Rea's trademark sad face here signifies his undying love for Aubrey, devoted roadie Bill Connolly is wise and wonderful), but sometimes breaks out with campy excesses (favorite targets are vain lead singer Bill Nighy and his cluelessly snooty Swedish wife, Helena Bergstrom). The movie doesn't push its larger themes (the madness of celebrity culture, the unoriginal power relations and values underlying rock's apparently radical displays), but is content to be entertaining and sweet.

—Cindy Fuchs