Monty! Monty! Show Me What Is Behind Door Number Three!

This review is about a film I have seen several times since its release. The Full Monty is a British Film that was released back in 1997 and now on video. There seem to be certain films I gravitate towards over and over. I have no idea why this is. The Full Monty is starting to grow on me. Pop it in your VCR, pop your kernels of buttered joy, turn the lights down nice and low and let the show begin!

The story is rather simplistic. Sheffield, England is the locale and the time is the present. The economic conditions and the steel trade that once fueled the economy are now out of business and throwing the community and its inhabitants into a welfare state. With this economic downturn there is still a need for fun and frivolousness when the male troop Chippendales rolls into town and packs the local hall with a screaming women. The male strip tease show with its sexy male dancers puts electricity back in the ailing community.

Six unemployed townspeople fueled by a lovable ringleader come up with a fast buck scheme to fuel their downtrodden luck. They decide to put on a strip show of their own with one hint of difference-the Full Monty. To those uninitiated to the movie this means baring all to the audience. No nude underwear, no g-strings, nada etc.

There is a sweet underlying short line that runs through the film as the main character, Gas, once the proud dad and husband now has child support and step dad situations to deal with. With payments looming over his head and no prospects down at the job center- stripping becomes a very viable alternative to a possible 2.50 an hour job on a factory line.

The movie takes us through the main theme accompanied by six absolutely lovable men-each one unique and different. One of the main characters, a security guard named Dave does his part to win you over. Overweight and quite middle aged flabby he hesitates, but agrees to bare all. The anguish over his body fat is something I am positive all women will relate too and very rarely get to glimpse from the male view. It is sweet to see the tables so cleverly turned in this film. Sneaking out at midnight to munch on candy bars with one hand while wrapping himself with cling wrap with the other to lose a few precious pounds is too funny. Men have gotten away with the joy of a laid back society view of their body for too long. Hail Hail to the director who brings these six guys up on the screen to scrutinize every inch of their body the way a majority of women do each day.

The main character Gas has some outrageously hysterical scenes as well. Sidled with trying to take care of his son he must go through dance routines and interviewing of possible candidates. The parade of possible men and their so-called deficits or attributes will leave you rolling in laughter. There are certainly enough male genital jokes to go around in this flick.

I love the way the bigger issues of unemployment, male ego and marital turmoil are woven in and out of the scenes. One sees the effects of being too long out of a job and how it affects the entire psyche of people and their families. It has several scenes that unfortunately too many Americans will find all too real.

This movie is first rate and should be on everyone’s must see list.

The music is right out of the pop charts that keep the film moving at a quick clip. Donna Summer, Sister Sledge and the ending production number danced to Tom Jones “You can Keep Your Hat On” is absolutely wonderful. By the end of the film the audience will find the six men as sexy and charming as any Chippendale hunk. An achievement and accolade that should be attributed to the fine filming of this movie.

The movie is rated R and with good reason. There is minor nudity, but lots of cursing. Best to leave this film for adult or older teen viewing from 16 or up. As far as the Full Monty goes-it seems the audience gets in to the show too late and ends up in the cheap seats.

I see something new and different in this film every time I watch it. Whether it is a funny line or new look at an old idea, it has given me joy in watching it. If you haven’t seen it yet- what are you waiting for? Pop up the buttered kernels of joy and invite me over for the viewing. I can’t wait to see it again.

This review is part of a write in called Play It Again Sam sponsored by yours truly. There are other super reviews of films and books that have driven us to distraction. Stop by and read the others in our quest for the most seen film.

Prepoia-The Breakfast Club
Kyalien-Deadman
ChrisJarmick-King of Hearts
Naphtalia-Singing in the Rain
Mtbat-Boxcar Children
Willthing-The Game
Prettyinpink-The Black Widow