In the 1970s, Strange Fruit were it. They lived the rock lifestyle to the max, groupies, drugs, internal tension and an ex front man dead from an overdose. Even their demise was glamorous; when lightning struck the stage during an outdoor festival. Twenty years on, these former rock gods they have now sunk deep into obscurity when the idea of a reunion tour is lodged in the head of Tony, former keyboard player of the Fruits. Tony sets out to find his former bandmates with the help of former manager Karen to see if they can recapture the magic and give themselves a second chance.
Acting
Bill Nighy's gloriously fragile lead singer vanity.
Writing
Wickedly specific band dynamics that feel painfully real.
Score
Original songs that actually slap—no joke tracks here.
Director
Brian Gibson
Stephen Rea
Tony Costello
Billy Connolly
Hughie
Jimmy Nail
Les Wickes
Timothy Spall
David "Beano" Baggot
Bill Nighy
Ray Simms
Juliet Aubrey
Karen Knowles
Helena Bergström
Astrid Simms
Bruce Robinson
Brian Lovell
Hans Matheson
Luke Shand
Rachael Stirling
Clare Knowles
Phil Daniels
Neil Gaydon
Phil Davis
Limo Driver
Frances Barber
Lady in Black
Zoë Ball
Zoë
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The actors performed their own vocals, with Jimmy Nail's 'The Flame Still Burns' becoming a genuine UK chart hit.
Director Brian Gibson died just two years later; this remains his final film, making its meditation on legacy unintentionally poignant.
GB
