Pirate Radio is a trip down memory lane. Great songs from the early days of rock'n'roll. The antics of a bunch of DJs stuck out in the North Sea will leave you laughing. What about the clothes? These festooned characters set the stage for a great adventure.

Richard Curtis does double duty as Director and Writer for this comic nostalgic movie. Not only does he give us outrageous characters, his subtle hand is felt throughout the movie, with some memorable scenes. You may remember some of his other creations, Love, Actually (2003) and Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason (2004). Both are some of my favorites and display his talent, as well as, his sense of whimsy. The film was released in Europe as "The Boat That Rocked" and we get the shorter version, Pirate Radio.

The story is really based on facts from the early days of rock. The BBC was only airing two hours of rock'n'roll a day in the early 60's, and radio pirates like, Radio Caroline, anchored in the North Sea blasted rock twenty four hours a day. The British teenagers really loved it and the broadcasters were becoming rich. Needless to say the government was none to happy and this sets the conflict for this story.

The story line thus evolves with a group of ego driven DJs and their fun filled days broadcasting rock across the seas. This group is led by Quentin ( BIll Nighy) the station manager. You may remember Bill's memorable performance in Love, Actually, as the aging rock star, "searching for a come back at any price", great stuff. Quentin invites his teenage nephew, Carl (Tom Sturridge) to stay on the boat at the suggestion of his mother. The rest is his coming of age story and his getting to know the DJ's and is the glue that holds the story together. The vintage rock'n'roll really provides an excellent background for the film and will have you pumped up by the beat. The Count (Philip Seymour Hoffman) is the most popular DJ and rules the boat. This lasts only until, the former king returns to Pirate radio. Gavin (Rhys Ifans) is the returning king and a ego driven feud erupts between The Count and Gavin. You will love the scene where they challenge each other to duel and they climb the ships mast. I was dizzy throughout the scene, and the scene's finale was memorable ends the feud.

The uptight government bureaucrat Sir Alistair Dormandy ( Kenneth Branagh) meanwhile is doing everything in his power to shut down Pirate Radio. Kenneth does a great job portraying myopic, anal, stick in the mud. It is a pleasure to see someone take on a role with such relish. The rest of the movie is fueled by sex, drugs and rock n roll. Capers upon capers abound throughout the rest of the movie. Carl, meanwhile taking it all in and falling in love. You will cheer at the dramatic rescue scene, as the DJs are whisked off the foundering ship.

Sprinkled throughout the Pirate Radio are cameos by, January Jones, Emma Thompson, and Talulah Riley. The rest of the supporting cast did a fine job of adding depth and bringing their characters to life. Philip Seymour Hoffman did a credible job as the leader of this merry band of misfits. It was nice to see him take comedic role, and stretch himself. Rhys Ifans does a wonderful turn as the strutting peacock, Gavin, it was a pleasure to watch him work. You may remember his hilarious portrayal of Hugh Grant's addled flat mate in Notting Hill.

Pirate Radio is a movie that will leave you smiling. The rock'n'roll music is the driving force of the movie and will have you bouncing in your seat. Take a friend or your sweetheart and enjoy this romp down memory lane.