Cemetery Junction

Prior to seeing Cemetery Junction, I was a little conflicted. I was really excited about seeing the film when I first heard about it, but after seeing the trailer was less so. I really did not want to get all hyped up about seeing the film only to be disappointed. That said, I LOVED it!

The film is a sort of coming-of-age tale about a boy named Freddie. More than anything, he does not wish to turn into his father. He gets a job as an insurance salesman, and as his life changes, it becomes harder and harder to hold onto his old one. His friend Bruce wants desperately to leave Cemetery Junction, but spends every day working in the factory and every night drinking and getting into fights. Snork, the final member of the trio, desperately wants a girlfriend, but doesn't really know how to talk to women.

Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant are geniuses. They were able to create a film that was both heart-warming and crude and was both bittersweet and hilarious. Though this work of genius would be nothing without the right casting to pull it off. Ricky Gervais was hilarious as Mr. Taylor (Freddie's obnoxious and borderline racist father). Christian Cooke, Tom Hughes, and Jack Doolan played off of each other perfectly as Freddie, Bruce and Snork. Finally, Ralph Fiennes and Matthew Goode were the perfect stiff-upper-lip pair as Freddie's boss and co-worker.

I would definitely recommend this film. It is definitely a must-see!