Chris Rea Movies
Michael Winner directed this British comedy-thriller about the disappointing life of wedding photographer Harry Sterndale (singer-actor Chris Rea). Betrayed by his wife, Harry had his ideas stolen by his best friend Maurice Walpole (John Cleese), was fleeced by shady businessman Gerd Layton (Bob Hoskins), and is told he has less than two months to live. To get revenge on everyone who did him in, Harry purchases a gun from barmaid Fred (Joanna Lumley) and sets off to carry out his most outrageous fantasies, with lots of twist and turns along the way. Shown at the 1998 Cannes Film Festival. ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Chris Rea, Felicity Kendal, (more)
- 1996
Those fond of the music of Chris Rea will find this movie very satisfying as his music is the backbone of this film. Rea himself does not appear in it, though he wrote the screenplay. The story concerns Jo, a young Italian immigrant to England who steals an ice-cream recipe from his father, runs away from home, makes a best-selling perfume from the recipe, becomes rich and powerful, and then realizes that his family was more important than everything else. One of the film's notable highlights is auto racing footage from the 1960s. Singer Shirley Bassey appears as herself. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- 1992
Gavin Bellini is half Scottish, half Italian. Perhaps that blend of two of the most romantic sensibilities in the world accounts for his being in London, scraping out a living as an illustrator. One day he runs into his father's brother and learns that, if he high-tails it to Glasgow in time to attend his father's surprise birthday party, there's a chance he could come into some cash. He hops in his old rust-bucket of a car and takes to the road. On the way, he picks up a girl hitchhiker who is also headed back home to Glasgow. She is a feisty wench, and unexpectedly skilled at getting cars fixed. The two of them couldn't be more different and soon begin to argue and bicker, with the inevitable result that, in addition to their other adventures, they fall in love. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Peter Capaldi, Frances Barber, (more)
- 1990
- PG13
John Larroquette starred with Kirstie Alley in this comedy involving a couple's troubles with their starter home. An array of obstinate houseguests refuse to leave and provoke the anger of all involved. ~ John Bush, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- John Larroquette, Kirstie Alley, (more)
- 1986
This is an emotionally wrenching drama about a woman dying of a brain tumor. The single mother (Eva Mattes) does not tell her young son or anyone else about her condition. Instead, she travels to Hamburg and leaves her son in their hotel room while she goes off for a tryst with his father, the man she truly loves. Since she does not let the child's father know why she has come back into his life, he does not follow up on their momentary meeting. After all, he has his own girlfriend and his own life to live. The inevitable moment comes when the dying mother must tell her son about his father, and the son's pursuit of his dad begins. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Eva Mattes, Werner Stocker, (more)
One of the most star-studded super-groups of the rock era, Willie and the Poor Boys included such luminaries as Charlie Watts, Jimmy Page, and Bill Wyman. Filmed at Fulham Town Hall in 1985, this concert film features the band joined by several special guests for a performance of such songs as "Poor Boy Boogie," "You Never Can Tell," "Baby Please Don't Go," and "These Arms of Mine." ~ Matthew Tobey, All Movie Guide
- 1983
Jovana (Milena Dravic) is a cross-country runner training for the Olympics with the help of a kindly priest. She meets a poor man on one of her journeys but falls for his black brother-in-law, a worker at the local crematorium. The worker is killed by his jealous brother-in-law and the first man is sentenced to death, but the woman continues her running as if nothing had happened in this dark comedy with tinges of satire and slapstick. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Richard Beymer, Nina Axelrod, (more)
