Download People Just Do Nothing: Big in Japan movie review

 

 

PEOPLE JUST DO NOTHING - BIG IN JAPAN

Cert 15

97 mins

BBFC advice: Contains strong language, drug references

Rappers do David Brent but not nearly as well as Ricky Gervais.

I have to admit there were people in Nottingham Cineworld's Screen 4 who were laughing along with People Just Do Nothing - Big In Japan.

For the life of me, I couldn't see the reason for their mirth.

Ok, there were a couple of moments which prompted me to smile but, for the large part, I felt that this was a series of repeatedly misfiring gags.

Jack Clough's film spins off the TV mockumentary which follows friends who run Kurupt FM, the "number one pirate radio station in Brentford."

The DJ pals take presenting UK garage and drum and bass very seriously even though there is no obvious audience for it.

I confess I have never seen the series but it is award-winning and an American pilot was made, based in Las Vegas. Unsurprisingly that project did not go ahead.

However, studio bosses clearly thought there was mileage in creating a film.

Anyway, three years after the final transmission of Kurupt FM,  Anthony "MC Grindah" Zografos (Allan Mustafa) is a postman, Kevin "DJ Beats" Bates (Hugo Chegwin) works in a bowling alley, and Steven "Steves" Green (Steve Stamp) is smoking weed in his flat. 

Their world is changed when their 'manager' Chabud "Chabuddy G" Gul (Asim Chaudhry) reports that their song, 'Heart Monitor Riddem', has found huge success in Japan via a popular game show. 

Consequently, the gang has been invited to Tokyo with an eye to agreeing on a record deal.

However, never has a group of people been mentally less equipped to leave the country.

The thrust of people Do Nothing is that the gang are not very bright, drink a lot and take myriad drugs whenever they can.

Thus, they are prone to exploitation by the Japanese who have very different ideas for their careers than they do.

People Just Do Nothing is a commentary on a celebrity culture where people really do believe they should be granted fame as if by right.

It is a sadness that the characters may be grounded in the truth.

Their straight-faced stupidity is the source of the humour in much the same way that David Brent's was in The Office with other echoes of The Inbetweeners.

However, it misfires because it is not as funny or smart as either.

Reasons to watch: If you have been a fan of the TV series

Reasons to avoid: If you are above 25 years old.

Laughs: None for me but plenty for others in the audience

Jumps: None

Vomit: Yes

Nudity: None

Overall rating: 4/10

Did you know? Hugo Chegwin is a composer, who has worked with stars including Sam Smith, Pixie Lott, Tinie Tempah and Leona Lewis. He’s credited as a songwriter on Emeli Sande’s hit ‘Next To Me’ which won two accolades Novello awards.  Hugo’s uncle was TV presenter Keith Chegwin.

The final word. Allan Mustafa: "I think People Just Do Nothing works because it’s not written by someone and then given to these trained actors that aren’t from that world. It’s written by us. " Independent

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