Still Crazy Movie – Old Guys Make a Comeback

“Still Crazy” stands as a 1998 British comedy gem, masterfully directed by Brian Gibson. This rollicking ride through music history follows the fictional ’70s rock outfit Strange Fruit, a band that imploded after a tumultuous last performance in 1977, tainted by ego clashes, indulgence, and the tragic overdose of their original frontman, Keith Lovell.
Fast forward two decades, and the band’s tale takes an unexpected twist. A chance encounter with the son of the Wisbech Rock Festival’s founder thrusts keyboardist Tony Costello back into the limelight. Tony embarks on a mission to reunite the scattered remnants of Strange Fruit for an anniversary concert at the same iconic venue where their final notes once echoed.
With Karen Knowles, their original “runaround-girl,” reluctantly taking up the role of manager, the quest begins. Karen’s rediscovery of memorabilia reignites her passion for the band’s legacy.
Her persistence pays off as she tracks down the other band members: Les Wickes, the bassist now leading a domestic life as a roofer; David “Beano” Baggot, the drummer eluding the taxman while working at a nursery; and Ray Simms, the lead singer who’s emerged from a turbulent past of substance abuse, now embracing sobriety.
As the band reunites at the Red Lion pub, the absence of Brian Lovell, the lead guitarist, looms large. It’s presumed that he donated his royalties to charity, with many assuming his passing.
Their loyal roadie, Hughie, resurfaces to reclaim his original role, and Ray, initially adamant about playing the guitar, is eventually persuaded to lend his powerful vocals. A young and talented guitarist named Luke Shand fills in for the absent Brian, blissfully unaware of the band’s simmering tensions.
Their European tour serves as a warm-up, but initial performances fall flat. Doubt creeps in, with Les, Beano, and Hughie believing that Keith and Brian were the heart and soul of the band. Tony’s advances towards Karen are met with resistance, as her heart remains attached to Brian. An ill-conceived gig pushes Ray to the edge, leading to a breakdown exacerbated by the impending milestone of turning 50. Ray’s departure leaves the band in turmoil, and Karen bears the brunt of the blame from Ray’s distraught wife.
Amidst angry locals protesting their loud music, the band’s escape to their tour bus feels like a retreat from a battlefield. However, reconciliation between Les and Ray, with a mysterious message from Brian’s ghost, injects a glimmer of hope. An encounter with a young girl donning a vintage Strange Fruit tour T-shirt feels like a serendipitous sign, revitalizing their spirits. Subsequent shows yield better results, and optimism seeps back into the band’s collective psyche.
Securing a record deal, the band records a fresh track, a rare feat given Ray’s previous resistance to songs not sung by him. However, a damning TV interview, where Les and Beano suggest the band was superior with Keith and Brian, sends Ray into a tailspin, causing him to quit once more.
As band members drift back into their ordinary lives, a visit to Keith’s grave leads to an unexpected discovery. A note quoting “The Flame Still Burns,” a tribute to Keith penned by Brian, piques their curiosity. The revelation that Brian is alive sends Karen on a mission to find him, and Tony follows suit. Brian’s self-imposed isolation and surrender of material possessions to cut ties with his past life becomes apparent. His return to the fold sparks hope, but a tumultuous press conference leads to Brian’s initial exit.
Beano’s near mishap with an overzealous stalker-groupie almost causes him to miss the gig. Yet, as the band takes the stage, they kick off with the same song that marked their last performance at the Wisbech Festival. Ray’s shaken confidence is restored when Tony delivers a heartfelt rendition of “The Flame Still Burns.” Brian, moved by the music, takes to the stage, delivering an electrifying guitar solo that ignites the crowd and reunites the band in a blaze of glory.
“Still Crazy” is a wild ride through the highs and lows of rock ‘n’ roll, a testament to the enduring spirit of music and the bonds that tie musicians together, even after two tumultuous decades apart.
“Still Crazy” stands as a 1998 British comedy gem, masterfully directed by Brian Gibson. This rollicking ride through music history follows the fictional ’70s rock outfit Strange Fruit, a band that imploded after a tumultuous last performance in 1977, tainted by ego clashes, indulgence, and the tragic overdose of their original frontman, Keith Lovell.
Fast forward two decades, and the band’s tale takes an unexpected twist. A chance encounter with the son of the Wisbech Rock Festival’s founder thrusts keyboardist Tony Costello back into the limelight. Tony embarks on a mission to reunite the scattered remnants of Strange Fruit for an anniversary concert at the same iconic venue where their final notes once echoed.
With Karen Knowles, their original “runaround-girl,” reluctantly taking up the role of manager, the quest begins. Karen’s rediscovery of memorabilia reignites her passion for the band’s legacy. Her persistence pays off as she tracks down the other band members: Les Wickes, the bassist now leading a domestic life as a roofer; David “Beano” Baggot, the drummer eluding the taxman while working at a nursery; and Ray Simms, the lead singer who’s emerged from a turbulent past of substance abuse, now embracing sobriety.
As the band reunites at the Red Lion pub, the absence of Brian Lovell, the lead guitarist, looms large. It’s presumed that he donated his royalties to charity, with many assuming his passing. Their loyal roadie, Hughie, resurfaces to reclaim his original role, and Ray, initially adamant about playing the guitar, is eventually persuaded to lend his powerful vocals. A young and talented guitarist named Luke Shand fills in for the absent Brian, blissfully unaware of the band’s simmering tensions.
Their European tour serves as a warm-up, but initial performances fall flat. Doubt creeps in, with Les, Beano, and Hughie believing that Keith and Brian were the heart and soul of the band. Tony’s advances towards Karen are met with resistance, as her heart remains attached to Brian. An ill-conceived gig pushes Ray to the edge, leading to a breakdown exacerbated by the impending milestone of turning 50. Ray’s departure leaves the band in turmoil, and Karen bears the brunt of the blame from Ray’s distraught wife.
Amidst angry locals protesting their loud music, the band’s escape to their tour bus feels like a retreat from a battlefield. However, reconciliation between Les and Ray, with a mysterious message from Brian’s ghost, injects a glimmer of hope. An encounter with a young girl donning a vintage Strange Fruit tour T-shirt feels like a serendipitous sign, revitalizing their spirits. Subsequent shows yield better results, and optimism seeps back into the band’s collective psyche.
Securing a record deal, the band records a fresh track, a rare feat given Ray’s previous resistance to songs not sung by him. However, a damning TV interview, where Les and Beano suggest the band was superior with Keith and Brian, sends Ray into a tailspin, causing him to quit once more.
As band members drift back into their ordinary lives, a visit to Keith’s grave leads to an unexpected discovery. A note quoting “The Flame Still Burns,” a tribute to Keith penned by Brian, piques their curiosity. The revelation that Brian is alive sends Karen on a mission to find him, and Tony follows suit. Brian’s self-imposed isolation and surrender of material possessions to cut ties with his past life becomes apparent. His return to the fold sparks hope, but a tumultuous press conference leads to Brian’s initial exit.
Beano’s near mishap with an overzealous stalker-groupie almost causes him to miss the gig. Yet, as the band takes the stage, they kick off with the same song that marked their last performance at the Wisbech Festival. Ray’s shaken confidence is restored when Tony delivers a heartfelt rendition of “The Flame Still Burns.” Brian, moved by the music, takes to the stage, delivering an electrifying guitar solo that ignites the crowd and reunites the band in a blaze of glory.
“Still Crazy” is a love letter to the enduring spirit of music and the bonds that tie musicians together, even after two tumultuous decades apart.
The flame still burns indeed. I can’t name one musician friend that would want an emotional comeback like this!