Robert Carlyle, Tom Wilkinson, Mark Addy, Paul Barber, Steve Huison, Hugo Speer
I will say it now instead of later: Rent the Movie! Now!
No other movie could have done what this one did and still be funny and dramatic all in the same day. This was
one of the best films of 1997, no doubt about it.
Once upon a time in England, in the city of Sheffield (Hi Alan!) there was a great factory for the production of Steel. But the 90's came, and the plant closed down. All the people were out of work and on the dole (welfare). But then Gaz (Robert Carlyle--trainspotting) came up with an idea. If women were willing to go see a bunch of buff-o guys take most of it off, why not watch six regular guys go the full monty? (meaning: dance around until you're in your skivvies (underwear) and then take the underwear off. Woo!)
The music and the actors make this movie the best. Robert Carlyle is hilarious in this movie, much cuter then when he was Begbie in traispotting, and perfectly cast. The self-image problems of Dave (Mark Addy) are funny and touching ("Anti Wrinkle cream there may be, but Anti fat-Bastard Cream there is not."). The plight of the former Factory Forman Gerald, a snobbish older man brought down to taking it off for money is hilarious and pathetic ("He's fat, you're thin, and you're both fucking ugly!").
The point is, you couldn't get a better bunch of guys to be in this movie. They are people like us, not hollywood's finest. I mean, this movie would have absolutely nothing to go on if the six guys were Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt, Christian Bale (although I like him), Leo DiCaprio, and any other creation of stardom that makes mindless drones drool with pleasure. This movie has heart, and humour and normal-looking people, and dammit they are proud of it!
Although the subtle british wit can sometimes be hard to grasp for those of you living south of Canada...this movie appeals to every person over 15. Or at least it should.
My Advice: Rent it, buy the soundtrack and spend 15 minutes of every day hummin 'I believe in miracles'.