Festival (UK)

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Review of Festival
added by
Si Wooldridge

Follows the stories of several performers to the bitter battle for a prestigious comedy award
Certificate: 18
Running Time: 107 mins
Retail Price: £19.99
Release Date:
Content Type: Movie

Synopsis:
Directed by Annie Griffin (CH4`s The Book Group), Festival follows the inter-locking stories (and bodies) of several performers, from those involved in the Fringe to the bitter battle for a prestigious comedy award. Famous television comedian Sean Sullivan (Stephen Mangan) is in town for the Festival with his long-suffering personal assistant Petra (Raquel Cassidy), as the judge for the comedy award. Quite the opposite in real life to his on-screen persona, Sean`s hectic life is completely held together by the efforts of recovering alcoholic Petra to keep him on track. When his demands and tantrums finally push Petra over the edge, she quits her job and leaves Sean to his own mess.
Petra is not the only woman who has an influence on Sean`s life. Nicky (Lucy Punch), a very ambitious young entrant in the competition will do anything to succeed. Impressed with Sean`s famous charms, she has a passionate fling with him to improve her chances of winning the competition that leads to a very memorable climax to the award ceremony. Meanwhile Irish stand-ups Tommy (Chris O`Dowd) and Conor (Billy Carter) are determined to win the big competition, but they are also distracted from their mission to win thanks to their sexual activities. Married Tommy has an affair with sassy radio host Joan (Daniela Nardini), who discovers his true marital status and uses her position as commentator for the award ceremony to sarcastic effect.

Special Features:
Deleted scenes. Bloopers. Development featurette. Audio description. Theatrical trailer. Bagpipes and Cornetas.