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Nuts In May [1976]
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RRP: £19.99
Our Price: £23.49 (subject to change)
Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review
An early masterpiece from Mike Leigh, Nuts in May is a filmed-for-TV adaptation of an earlier stage play. The cast is small (only five characters who matter), but the acting is impeccable, and the mix of wicked humour and social observation make this one of Leigh's best works. Keith Pratt, a man who fully earns his surname due to his nit-picking obsessions with order and detail, takes his partner Candice-Marie, a well-meaning but irritating hippie, on a camping trip. There they meet Trevor, a shy teacher who finds their enforced friendship intrusive but is too polite to extricate himself, and a brash young couple of bikers, Honky and Finger, whose loud and chaotic personalities lead them into conflict with the repressed and dogmatic Keith. Plot isn't the issue here, since Leigh is far more interested in teasing out the subtleties of human behaviour, which he does with forensic skill in several unforgettable scenes. Funny and painful at the same time, like all Leigh's successes, Nuts in May is brilliantly acted by all concerned, though special mention must go to Roger Sloman, for bringing to life the appalling but ultimately pitiable Keith, and Alison Steadman, whose portrayal of fey, goofy and tragi-comic Candice-Marie is every bit as memorable and nuanced as her more famous turn as Beverley in Leigh's Abigail's Party. --Andy Medhurst
Genius Comedy
Review date: 2007-11-28 Rating: 10 out of 10
I had never heard of this film, but I first watched it a couple of years ago and it blew me away. This is now firmly establised as one of my favourite films of all time. Whilst I know that many people will not understand the film, I now actually judge people on whether they like this film or not. I have changed my views on my own friends through watching this superb film. People who do not like this film are simpleton's in my view, and example of this is my friend Wikey. He does not like this film, and therefore I like him less as I know his brain does not have enough capacity to understand the subtle humour this film provides.
It is best to watch this film when you are slightly tipsy, and it always gets me howling with laughter. The funniest moments are:
- when Keith and Candice Marie make Ray sing with them - 'Well done Ray'!
- when keith confronts Finger about the noise coming from his tent at night
- when Keith snaps his book shut and shouts 'why don't we ask Ray'!
- when Keith does his stretches
- When keith goes mad
- and finally when the end credits go and Keith is making his way into the woods with a shovel and toilet roll.
Similar Products
- Abigail's Party (BBC) [1977]
- Grown-Ups [1980] (REGION 1) (NTSC)
- High Hopes [1988]
- Happy-Go-Lucky [2008]
- Life Is Sweet [1990]
Reviews
Nuts All The Way
Review date: 2007-09-23 Rating: 10 out of 10
Remember watching this play with my family way back in 1976, on the evening it was first shown by the BBC. We all thought it was fantastic, and it still is.
All the characters are so brilliant, especially Keith Pratt and Candice Marie.
I wish that the BBC would release some of their other funny plays, like Michael Palin's 'East Of Ipswich' and Peter Terson's 'The Fishing Party'
You just don't see things like this on the TV anymore.
Very bad print
Review date: 2006-08-22 Rating: 2 out of 10
Nuts in May is wonderful, but if you want a watchable copy, avoid the NTSC release at all costs. The transfer is absolutely ghastly - bootleg quality, to put it bluntly. It's such a pity the UK DVD seems to be out of print.
for anyone who liked The Office...
Review date: 2006-03-13 Rating: 10 out of 10
If the first series of The Office was like a breakthrough in socially scathing comedy, and the second series was the same but even more scathing, and the xmas specials went even further into the realms of awfulness, definitely track down a copy of Nuts In May...it's worse. It's more uncomfortable. In fact it's downright disturbing. There has not been anything like it since.
What I think would be really lovely ..
Review date: 2005-07-10 Rating: 10 out of 10
is if Keith & Candice-Marie returned to Dorset, bumped into Ray, reminisced about old times, insisted on a sing-song. Would they struggle with the lyrics ? So if your reading this BBC, how bout it ? The legend of the Pratt's must not end here.
Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
Roger Sloman
Stephen Bill
Anthony O'Donnell
Eric Allan
Sheila Kelley
Creators:
Roger Sloman (Primary Contributor)
Anthony O'Donnell (Primary Contributor)
Michael Williams (Cinematographer)
Mike Leigh (Writer)
Oliver White (Editor)
David Rose (Producer)
Director(s):
Recording label: Meridian Entertainment
Manufacturer: Meridian Entertainment
EAN: 5027180610367
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: PAL,
Release date: 2000-03-06
Number of discs: 1
Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
Audience rating: Parental Guidance
Running time: 82 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1995
Language: English (Original Language)