Director: Declan Lowney
Cast: Steve Coogan, Felicity Montagu, Colm Meaney, Tim Key, Nigel Lindsay, Simon Greenall, Phil Cornwell, Monica Dolan, Sean Pertwee, Anna Maxwell Martin, Darren Boyd
Running Time: 90 minutes
ALAN PARTRIDGE: ALPHA PAPA originally seemed like one of those risky jumps for a big screen adaption but with Armando Iannucci and Steve Coogan behind the process, the inkling of hope has brought us a terrific outcome.
For those of you who already know the Partridge character, you’ll know his scuffle with fame and connection with Norfolk and, more specifically, his radio show on North Norfolk Digital. Although this is the basis for the story, our instant plot-device is a world where the radio station is being taken over, alongside rumours of sackings and old presenters being replaced, so to save himself and his colleagues, Alan barges into a meeting to save the old guard. While he’s initially intent in standing up for himself and fellow aged presenter Pat Farrell (the ever superb Colm Meaney), Alan ends up begging for his job and telling the new owners to ‘Just Sack Pat’ in his customary inimitable way.
ALPHA PAPA gives us an unexpected development of his character. We all know he’s not as selfish as he comes across but there are levels here explored further than ever before and Steve Coogan turns on the class to show us how good he really is. We’ve got the heart and action vibe of HOT FUZZ mixed in with the best moments from Ricky Gervais’ characters in EXTRAS and THE OFFICE. Coogan on top form is brilliant to watch, if you’ve seen the series or film version of THE TRIP then you’ll know how well he can play serious but his pure encapsulation of Alan Partridge’s persona is surely now a British institution. His co-star here is Colm Meaney, playing up angry Irishman Pat Farrell who is trying to rediscover his life. Meaney is brilliant as he flips between insane (or eccentric) and downright entertaining.
We must also mention Alan’s long suffering assistant Lynn played by Felicity Montagu, who expands her character even further and you really feel happy that she gets some positive attention. Other stand-out performances come from Monica Dolan as Alan’s feisty-geek love interest and Geordie Michael, played by Simon Greenall with some great scene-stealing moments.
There’s no doubt that British cinema has come a long way in the past twenty years and to see Partridge up on the big screen in this standalone adventure won’t do it any harm at all, in fact, it further celebrates the talent that we’ve got right now. It’s particularly impressive because they don’t try to overdo the Partridge, sure it’s a little pepped up for the big screen but there is also the full spirit of his uncomfortable, awkward character. With his ‘Action Partridge’, there’s even a slight aroma of cool, which I never thought I’d say.
ALAN PARTRIDGE: ALPHA PAPA is jammed-packed with witty quotes, ones you’d want to remember as any from the Three Colours Cornetto Trilogy and it’s beautifully British. There are quick quips, clever insights and more good-old fashioned slapstick than you can shake a comedy stick at. Wholesome, sharp and brilliantly ridiculous, get yourself some Partridge in your life.
Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa is out now on Blu-ray and DVD.
