Hunky Dory [DVD] [2017]

A good Welsh film, hard to find. What a really good film , & how that one teacher helps teenagers with hormones, literature, friendship & having a good time. It does mention Rugby😂

This brilliant film from Wales is set in the long hot summer of 1976, when we had it like the Mediterranean every day for months (except in Ireland where it pelted down and I had to go for a `holiday'). We meet Vivienne May (Minnie Driver) who has returned from a failed career in London to become a teacher at a not so progressive South Wales school. She is one of those teachers who feel you should get more from education than just a tick box mentality to passing exams. And as such she wants to encourage the kids to `express' themselves.In order to help in this process, she intends to put on the school musical, and she chooses Shakespeare's `The Tempest', but with up to date and `with it' music such as Bowie, Roxy, Music and ELO. I was intrigued straight away especially with a very school like version of `Life on Mars' with a xylophone and jars filled with differing amounts of water - brilliant. Well her efforts are received with mild disfavour to outright hostility. The rugby coach says acting is effeminate and won't let his `boys' take part, the splendid Hayden Gwynn as Mrs Valentine, is a sublime cow in her efforts to undermine Vivienne, who seems to let herself down through being caught at being pally with the kids, smoking, drinking, swearing and getting stoned.The kids themselves are all played brilliantly especially the lad who plays the only gay in the village/ school. Then there is Davy who has a crush for Miss and more mixed hormones than most of his age, but he can fair belt out a tune. The arrangements and treatments of the songs are all at the high end of excellent especially a fairly obscure Roxy number. They are also rubbish at turning up for dress rehearsal and more akin to bunking off down the Lido than learning their lines. Well as the heat rises, so do the hormones, jealousies and the accusations which will all lead to an inevitable clash, albeit with a load of laughs along the way.To say I enjoyed this is an understatement akin to saying Stalin might have been a bit naughty, it is just great, funny, human, and entertaining and it's Welsh. This is the best Welsh film since `Twin Town' and I have seen a fair few. Minnie Driver is not only great she is totally lovable and not any of the supporting cast puts in a bad performance. Special mention to the headmaster played by Robert Pugh (`Master and Commander' and `Robin Hood'), he plays the bumbling but kind hearted teacher in a virtuoso performance of under statedness. If you loved the seventies, you will love this, if you love musicals then look no further and if you want to see some home grown life affirming cinema then, with this you have struck gold.

It's not so much a "feel-good" film, I'd say it's more a "bitter-sweet" tale of young lives at the start of their life journey and not-quite-so-young lives at a cross-roads on their journey, with each helping the others to move forward.I don't really see it as an outright musical either ... more that the musical content enhances the narrative flow. The music feels natural and honest rather than over-produced perfection. I think it's a mix of professional & amateur (or at least first-time) actors but they all do a great job. It feels very natural. Minnie Driver is very good... nails the mix of enthusiasm, passion & vulnerability of Viv (if maybe a tad too glamourous/gorgeous to be teaching in a Swansea high school?) Also nails the accent too!Something fresh & different and I recommend you try it.

I had seen the tailer for this flim and had been curious to see it, it looked very different from most flims out at the time. i also had a intrest in the music in the film.I'm glad I brought it, it was different to what I was expecting. The story I found very enjoyable to watch and even found my self wanting to sing along. I loved the fact it wasn't like most flims of today, there was somthing very different that i haven't seen before.The acting was good and kept my attention throughout the film and i was sad that it was over after 106 mins.A smashingly great flim and offerings somthing a little bit different to watch .

I have loved this film since I watched it the first time. It's based on true events which I think is wonderful. The singing is amazing.Brilliant!

I love this film - it is one of my most favourites. It beautifully evokes memories of the summer of 76. When I was sitting o levels. I will often now hear music and it will take me back to this fabulous film. I think I might have to watch it again 😁

This is a really great British film. I saw it originally at the cinema,pity it didnt get more publicity at the time,I struggled to find a cinema that was showing it. This film really conjures up the feel of the hot summer of 1976,it made me feel very nostalgic! The story is a simple one but it works really well,fantastic acting and music,a breath of fresh air.

This film is a bit like a Welsh version of Glee or maybe even Grease, but a bit cooler, a bit less polished & a bit more, well, British. It's 1976 & drama teacher Viv is staging a modern version of The Tempest complete with a soundtrack of the time. Think Bowie, ELO, 10cc, which is sung by the cast, who aren't professional singers but all give it a good go. The 1970s styling is great & gives the film a great nostalgic feel. I felt the "what they did next" scene at the end was a brilliant touch & made me connect with the characters a bit more. It made them feel like real classmates & gave the characters a bit more depth.It's a feel-good film & I really enjoyed watching it. If only the drama lessons at my school had been half this fun.