Christian Slater does Winston Churchill - only younger and better looking - in Churchill: The Hollywood Years. Peter Richardson graduated from BBC2's Stella Street to direct what turns out to be a rather "heavy-going spoof" on Hollywood's brazen rewriting of history. It didn't do storming business at home, but it's yet to open in the States. Still, something tells us this won't play well in Ohio...
War, What Is It Good For?
Stars of the film including Christian Slater and Neve Campbell line up to offer their profound thoughts in a fluffy behind-the-scenes featurette. Slater explains that the script appealed to him because "it pokes fun at Hollywood and American patriotism". Meanwhile Romany Malco shockingly suggests that, "Churchill is Britain's equivalent to John Wayne". But it's Harry Enfield who breaks it down to basics when he reveals that the key to good comedy is, "Seeing Neve Campbell getting beaten to death by Vic and Bob". Charming.
The Amazing True Story cobbles together new footage with clips from the film to create a mildly amusing mockumentary. It also recycles the plot, which follows the efforts of US Marine Lieutenant Ed Baker (Tom Clarke Hill) to uncover the true identity of his father who went missing during WWII. In essence this is a 20-minute trailer for the movie (complete with cheesy voiceover), which runs out of steam after about five minutes.
Hollywood Bomb
Richardson gives optional commentary for eight deleted scenes, which include an alternative beginning and ending. Both find Ronni Ancona as a tripped-out Hollywood exec typically trying too hard to be funny. Even the director concedes, "It didn't make people laugh enough." At least Miranda Richardson raises a titter as Hitler's main squeeze Eva Braun, calling up a radio talk show to whinge about her workaholic husband.
In the feature commentary, Richardson is content to take a back seat as Slater makes such astute observations as, "When we started I was in incredible shape, but in the re-shoots my biceps are smaller." Likewise Richardson never threatens to be interesting except when he's pointing out locations previously used by other films. There's similar fun to be had in counting the number of times Slater exclaims, "Unbelievable!" throughout the course of 80 minutes...
Completing the package is a distinctly unfunny outtakes reel and an R-rated Easter egg featuring Vic Reeves' "erotic art" (hidden in the second special features menu). While there are a few laughs to be had, it's safe to say this is one DVD that history will very quickly forget.
EXTRA FEATURES
