Pirate Radio Movie Review

I can’t imagine living in a time where music was banned. I can listen to whatever the hell I want to, and, now, thanks to the Internet, whenever I want to. But, to all you young ones out there, believe it or not, there was a time when old grumpy bastards decided what was good for you to listen to … and, unfortunately, what was bad. Then there was the boat that rocked.

Pirate Radio Movie Synopsis

In 1966, there was a boat in the North Sea that played music they weren’t supposed to. The crew was out of control. They had but one mission: have fun and play rock and roll music. Led by Quentin (Bill Nighy), the Count (Philip Seymour Hoffman), Gavin (Rhys Ifans) and Dave (Nick Frost) they caused rock and roll lovers all over to crowd around their radios for the next generation-defining hit. When they face getting shut down, things get a little messy. The whole while though, they make sure to have plenty of fun and play nothing but good rockin’ music.

Pirate Radio Movie Review

If you have not watched this film, watch it and come back later to read this, I’m gonna talk about some events you may not want to know yet. I can find a great moment in almost any movie and this film is no exception. Kenny and I discussed this movie in length and agreed there was something quite magical/spiritual about this particular moment: the ship is sinking and so is DJ Bob. Why? Because DJ Bob won’t let go of his records – his beloved records are drowning him. We liked this. This is how many of us spend our lives.  For me, my drowning has been the following: I won’t let go of the past to fully live in the present. I won’t let go of fear to thrive in love. I won’t let go of limiting beliefs/thoughts to exist in joy. I’m certain your drowning is similar.

Well, DJ Bob finally wakes up out of his insanity and releases the heavy record collection saving his own life with, of course, some help from young Carl.  But, certainly, Bob can still float to the surface holding at least one record … he can salvage something. When Bob and Carl make it to safety and take a deep breath in – with Bob still holding on to that last beloved record – DJ Dave appears out of nowhere, takes the record from Bob’s grip, throws it back into the water, and says “Oh dear, that is not a good record”.

I love life, it has quite an “all or nothing” nature to it, doesn’t it? Brilliant! But, what is even more brilliant is that DJ Bob didn’t have to do anything.  He just simply had to let go and someone else was there to help and encourage with that too.  Life was making it clear to let go–there was no agonizing choice or need for analysis. His decision/action was ready-made.  And even when Bob couldn’t help but to hang on to one little thing, one small negative belief, one itsy-bitsy painful thought, one tiny fear, one barely there self-criticism, one miniscule resentment; someone in a more stable place came along and got rid of that for him too.

Hooray!

Pirate Radio Movie Trailer