Pirate Radio (R) 2009
The year was 1966 and the U.S. was reeling from the British Invasion rock music that was pouring from transistor radios. Unfortunately for music fans, the rock and roll music of Great Britain was not popular with the British government. Banned from the nation’s airwaves, pirate radio stations popped up in international waters on aging ships anchored in the North Sea and aimed their signals directly to the British shores so that the music could be enjoyed by all.
    Writer/director Richard Curtis spins a delightful tale of eight DJs, an entrepreneur (Bill Nighly), a cook and a somewhat confused teenage boy who are moored off the coast, having the time of their lives. For every rollicking fan's delight, there’s a staid British government official working to shut down the operation, known as Radio Rock. How they go about it and the soggy outcome make a great story.
    An entertaining, humorous drama filled with endearing characters, Pirate Radio certainly qualifies as one of the best “feel good” movies of the year. The fresh story is a hit with moviegoers, most of whom had never heard of pirate radio stations prior to this film.
    A talented cast including Philip Seymour Hoffman, Bill Nighy, Rhys Ifans, Nick Frost and Kenneth Branagh shine in their rolls as rogue broadcasters of illegal rock sounds. The “spread the joy,” footloose attitude of the film permeates this chapter in radio history. Rating: 3