Hunky Dory [DVD] [2017]

This brilliant film from Wales is set in the long hot summer of 1976, when we had it like the Mediterranean every day for months (except in Ireland where it pelted down and I had to go for a `holiday'). We meet Vivienne May (Minnie Driver) who has returned from a failed career in London to become a teacher at a not so progressive South Wales school. She is one of those teachers who feel you should get more from education than just a tick box mentality to passing exams. And as such she wants to encourage the kids to `express' themselves. In order to help in this process, she intends to put on the school musical, and she chooses Shakespeare's `The Tempest', but with up to date and `with it' music such as Bowie, Roxy, Music and ELO. I was intrigued straight away especially with a very school like version of `Life on Mars' with a xylophone and jars filled with differing amounts of water - brilliant. Well her efforts are received with mild disfavour to outright hostility. The rugby coach says acting is effeminate and won't let his `boys' take part, the splendid Hayden Gwynn as Mrs Valentine, is a sublime cow in her efforts to undermine Vivienne, who seems to let herself down through being caught at being pally with the kids, smoking, drinking, swearing and getting stoned. The kids themselves are all played brilliantly especially the lad who plays the only gay in the village/ school. Then there is Davy who has a crush for Miss and more mixed hormones than most of his age, but he can fair belt out a tune. The arrangements and treatments of the songs are all at the high end of excellent especially a fairly obscure Roxy number. They are also rubbish at turning up for dress rehearsal and more akin to bunking off down the Lido than learning their lines. Well as the heat rises, so do the hormones, jealousies and the accusations which will all lead to an inevitable clash, albeit with a load of laughs along the way. To say I enjoyed this is an understatement akin to saying Stalin might have been a bit naughty, it is just great, funny, human, and entertaining and it's Welsh. This is the best Welsh film since `Twin Town' and I have seen a fair few. Minnie Driver is not only great she is totally lovable and not any of the supporting cast puts in a bad performance. Special mention to the headmaster played by Robert Pugh (`Master and Commander' and `Robin Hood'), he plays the bumbling but kind hearted teacher in a virtuoso performance of under statedness. If you loved the seventies, you will love this, if you love musicals then look no further and if you want to see some home grown life affirming cinema then, with this you have struck gold.

Great little 'feel good' film. Captures the feel and mood of the lovely long summer of 1976

This is a really great British film. I saw it originally at the cinema,pity it didnt get more publicity at the time,I struggled to find a cinema that was showing it. This film really conjures up the feel of the hot summer of 1976,it made me feel very nostalgic! The story is a simple one but it works really well,fantastic acting and music,a breath of fresh air.

Well, I really bought it just to see Aneurin Barnard, but it IS an enjoyable film. The songs are really well done, and the acting performances are good, and the storyline is okay, and very believable. It's not as dramatic as " Glee " but it's set in Wales, and seems to me to be a good reflection of the time it represents. Aneurin Barnard is SO good as always - he is a GREAT talent, and worth the price of this dvd alone, several times over !.

A good Welsh film, hard to find. What a really good film , & how that one teacher helps teenagers with hormones, literature, friendship & having a good time. It does mention Rugby😂

Great

I had seen the tailer for this flim and had been curious to see it, it looked very different from most flims out at the time. i also had a intrest in the music in the film. I'm glad I brought it, it was different to what I was expecting. The story I found very enjoyable to watch and even found my self wanting to sing along. I loved the fact it wasn't like most flims of today, there was somthing very different that i haven't seen before. The acting was good and kept my attention throughout the film and i was sad that it was over after 106 mins. A smashingly great flim and offerings somthing a little bit different to watch .

I bought this film mainly because it featured the Brynaman Lido and because I knew the difficulties the film crew had encountered in trying to persuade the council to let them use it as a location. Carmarthenshire County Council acted disgracefully in pretending that they couldn't afford the £20,000 needed to open the pool in 2010. As offers of help poured in the Council kept increasing their estimates for repair! That £20,000 quickly became £100,000 as adverse publicity for the council increased. The film itself is unfortunately lacklustre which is a pity.

Loved the music from the 70's and how it played in the storyline. There are some very talented singers/actors in the movie. Bought the soundtrack as well. The movie is what it is. A couple of hours of an enjoyable movie with some great music.

Loved this film, wonderful actors sweet story of a teacher trying to inspire her students to step outside their comfort zone and do something different. Good music and very talented young performers.

dvd en très bon état et satisfaite du film qui apporte une légèreté rafraîchissante. je recommande ce film à ceux qui ont du mal en anglais pour qu'ils s'entraînent à mieux écouter car même sans les sous titres c'est facile

ho preso questo film per vedere come sela cava il giovane Barnard ed ho scoperto che c'è anche la Driver,attrice che non vedo molto spesso,ma che mi piace.Difetto?i soliti sottotitoli solo in inglese

Really enjoyed this movie. The singing was great. And the young actor who played Davey who is called Aneurin Barnard was great.