The Winter of Misunderstanding in Punk England Events in England in the late 70s went down in history as the "Winter of misunderstanding". High gasoline prices, unemployment, and distraught punks and neo-Nazis. In this hectic time, the talented singer Kate (played by a real new wave performer Hazel O'Connor) faces Danny (curly charmer Phil Daniels), who is immediately forced to become her manager. . .
Essentially, we have a rocker version of the movie A Star Is Born (no matter what adaptation you think of). The film is quite predictable, we have seen this story many times. And yet, it's catchy. Kate’s images are vivid and daring: from a disheveled punker to a perfect cyber woman. There is a bitter irony in this: Kate despised people-programs, but she becomes one in life and on stage. Changes in the image of the vocalist are synchronized with a change in style, with increasing popularity and with increasing tension in the group itself.
The social, political and economic agenda is well woven into the plot. The film becomes a mirror of its time. The love line is not annoying (as is often the case in such films). The main characters themselves - Danny and Kate - are shown as ambiguous personalities, many of their actions we do not approve, but understand their reason.
An additional plus is the appearance of pleasant faces. Here you and cameo Paul McCarthy, and Uncle Vernon - Richard Griffiths (music studio employee), and Jim Broadbent (station worker). And the young Jonathan Price even a full-fledged secondary role of a wordless saxophonist in Kate’s group.
If you are interested in England at the turn of the 70s-80s, the development of punk and new wave genres, then the film will appeal to you!
7.5 out of 10