The Go Between
The world of DJ Alan Partridge doesn't change much as he occupies the morning slot at North Norfolk Digital Radio whilst always hoping that maybe his big break is just around the corner. But everything suddenly changes not only for Alan but also his fellow radio presenters when North Norfolk Digital Radio is taken over by a huge media conglomerate and they decide to make some job cuts. When night time shift DJ Pat Farrell (Colm Meaney) is sacked he takes the entire station hostage and when the police arrive they rely on Alan to act as the go between.
There are some comedians who have a wide range and others who have a single style which means no matter what they appear in they always end up doing the same thing. Steve Coogan is one of those actors as in every movie or show he makes he always ends up coming across the same, shall we say he comes over all Alan Partridge in everything he does. Now for some, those who adore Coogan's obsessively, annoying DJ personality it won't be an issue but for me I always struggled with even half an hour of Alan Partridge and the thought of 90 minutes kind of scared men.
The good news is that "Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa" is not as annoying as I expected it to be, yes spending 90 minutes in the company of Alan Partridge is a little exhausting but in a strange way quite enjoyable. I think between the ridiculousness of the set up combined with the perfect casting of Colm Meaney as the angry DJ there is enough variation to stop it from becoming too much of a one man show movie which is how the old series use to come across.
What this all boils down to is that "Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa" will not only work for those who have always liked Coogan's Alan Partridge but may work for those who use to find him a bit annoying. But whilst I found "Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa" entertaining, a lot more than I expected, it isn't the type of movie which I would seek out to watch again.
Tags: British TV Shows & Their Movies
