85 reviews
This is what happens when you try to turn a 5 minute sketch character into a feature length movie.
I enjoyed the Nan character but I did wonder where it could go beyond Nan being outrageous, rude and grumpy.
And that is essentially how the film goes. The first 10 minutes are amusing and then I found myself questioning what the point of it all was. In trying to make Nan a more rounded character they lose most of what made her funny and there isn't enough good dialogue or material to justify or sustain the feature length run time.
There's is a message in there somewhere and there is surprisingly some emotion in the back story but it gets muddled alongside being kidnapped by a mentally ill vegan and followed by a dubious scouser.
I enjoyed the Nan character but I did wonder where it could go beyond Nan being outrageous, rude and grumpy.
And that is essentially how the film goes. The first 10 minutes are amusing and then I found myself questioning what the point of it all was. In trying to make Nan a more rounded character they lose most of what made her funny and there isn't enough good dialogue or material to justify or sustain the feature length run time.
There's is a message in there somewhere and there is surprisingly some emotion in the back story but it gets muddled alongside being kidnapped by a mentally ill vegan and followed by a dubious scouser.
- ginge_mickey
- Apr 21, 2022
- Permalink
The film was actually good, but easily would've been better if:
A - The entire Sub-Plot of the police chase and Irish bomber was completely scrapped
B - Those animated deus ex machina scenes were all cut; these just sucked you right out of the film every time
Trim out those 15 minutes and it would've been a really good story about Nan's life. Instead, we get that but it's split up with a completely pointless sub-plot.
A - The entire Sub-Plot of the police chase and Irish bomber was completely scrapped
B - Those animated deus ex machina scenes were all cut; these just sucked you right out of the film every time
Trim out those 15 minutes and it would've been a really good story about Nan's life. Instead, we get that but it's split up with a completely pointless sub-plot.
I always thought the Katherine Tate show was pretty funny and hoped this might have a good funny script, sadly this came up very short.
There are a few laughs asking the way but most of it is cringe worthy and extremely cliche.
There are a few laughs asking the way but most of it is cringe worthy and extremely cliche.
- coombsstephen
- Mar 20, 2022
- Permalink
To this day I still watch the Nan sketches, some of the funniest comedy made over the last twenty years, she is outrageous, I was really keen to see how the character would translate to a full length movie.
Sadly, it's not a good movie, in fact it's actually quite a bad movie, it just doesn't work, the sketches work because they're sharp, punchy, and done in a way that shocks you, and has you belly laughing, the same cannot be said here, the laughs just didn't land.
A kind of origins story, one which tried to explain the story of Joanie's fractured relationship with her sister. Several faces pop up, including the large guy, and miserable woman from the council, but sadly none of the elements worked.
The laughs just didn't land, and the story just wasn't interesting enough. The half hour sketch format works so much better, and hopefully she'll do another soon.
There is no denying the talent of Catherine Tate, she's terrific, and I can't wait to see the return of Donna Noble, this though, sadly didn't work 3/10.
Sadly, it's not a good movie, in fact it's actually quite a bad movie, it just doesn't work, the sketches work because they're sharp, punchy, and done in a way that shocks you, and has you belly laughing, the same cannot be said here, the laughs just didn't land.
A kind of origins story, one which tried to explain the story of Joanie's fractured relationship with her sister. Several faces pop up, including the large guy, and miserable woman from the council, but sadly none of the elements worked.
The laughs just didn't land, and the story just wasn't interesting enough. The half hour sketch format works so much better, and hopefully she'll do another soon.
There is no denying the talent of Catherine Tate, she's terrific, and I can't wait to see the return of Donna Noble, this though, sadly didn't work 3/10.
- Sleepin_Dragon
- Dec 10, 2022
- Permalink
I will start by saying that this movie is, probably, about 10 years too late. Had this been made early '10's, I can imagine a better response. The jokes are outdated and we've heard them all before. The 'present' scenes are predictable though I found the ending to be really good.
The 'past' scenes I thought were amazing, and my four stars are for them. The movie would have been better going down the route of Nan telling Jamie about the past without a road trip, then ending with the meeting. Catherine and Katherine did a good job in those scenes.
The worst part was, by far, the out of place and ridiculous animation that bought nothing to the movie.
So, would I recommend the film?
Sober - No.
After a few drinks - Sure.
Go in with low expectations and I think you'll enjoy the movie due to the flashbacks.
The 'past' scenes I thought were amazing, and my four stars are for them. The movie would have been better going down the route of Nan telling Jamie about the past without a road trip, then ending with the meeting. Catherine and Katherine did a good job in those scenes.
The worst part was, by far, the out of place and ridiculous animation that bought nothing to the movie.
So, would I recommend the film?
Sober - No.
After a few drinks - Sure.
Go in with low expectations and I think you'll enjoy the movie due to the flashbacks.
- liamnewell
- Mar 19, 2022
- Permalink
I didn't come into this with many expectations, but thought it might be a bit of a daft laugh. It pretty much wasn't. Having read the trivia re the re-cutting of the film it starts to make sense how someone of the stature of the great Katherine Parkinson allowed herself to be in such tosh. This is puerile rubbish. Honestly, don't waste your time.
What you expect, light hearted, funny adaptation to the big screen.
Catherine Tate is heartwarming as well as being funny as nan who reminded me so much as my own.
Catherine Tate is heartwarming as well as being funny as nan who reminded me so much as my own.
I was never much of a Catherine Tate fan. I remember her programme being popular years ago and recall her stints on Doctor Who and the Office (US). I cannnot understand why around 10-15 years after she was relevant in UK popular culture there has been a movie made bringing one of her old characters out of retirement. Their is surely not enough of an appetite for this even amongst avid viewers at the time. Despite this I went along for a Sunday viewing and was pretty appaled with the quality on display. The jokes mainly fall flat and the story just becomes tediously boring. The constant flashbacks are dull for the most part and I didn't find the character of Nan herself to be likeable or interesting. That laugh was really getting on my t*ts. There is all the usual tropes of a rubbish comedy film- scene where unassuming character takes hardcore drugs, some poorly-edited action scenes to break up the jokes and of course a stupid looking vechile for the leads to travel about in from one mind numbingly dull scene to the next.
Also, Nan looks at least 30 in the early 1940s but can still crowdsurf in a giant rave like its nothing. Should she not be over 100?? Sadly I would suggest giving this one a hard swerve. Comedy movies rarely come out these days and efforts like this do nothing to serve the cause.
Also, Nan looks at least 30 in the early 1940s but can still crowdsurf in a giant rave like its nothing. Should she not be over 100?? Sadly I would suggest giving this one a hard swerve. Comedy movies rarely come out these days and efforts like this do nothing to serve the cause.
- lewismccann
- Mar 19, 2022
- Permalink
I love Catherine Tate and was a bit nervous of watching this due to the terrible reviews on here and in other media. However, I found this to be deeply moving in parts and laugh-out-loud in others. Apparently there were problems with the studio who wanted to cut back on the war-time flashbacks which, in my opinion, were the best bits and the acting from all in these scenes was brilliant. This led to hastily filmed present day scenes and ill-judged cartoon/animation segments. With the majority of these removed and more flashbacks, we may have had a more even film, which I believe was the director's original vision (leading to her taking her name off the credits). A shame sometimes that studios get involved. Just release it and let the audience decide. That's who movies are for, after all.
The film was slated for release pre-pandemic, and as a fan of the Nan character I had been very much looking forward to watching this. I was very disappointed. The various scenes did not flow, and the overall story was very weak.
Wait for it to come to a streaming platform before you maybe watch it.
Wait for it to come to a streaming platform before you maybe watch it.
Having not found the show that good I only went to this as I have the cinema membership and was expecting to be gone after 30 mins, I was really surprised.
It's daft, OTT but in a natural way and genuinely funny, it wasn't supposed to be realistic it's just silly fun, I don't fully get what people expected?
It was a nice story, it meshed funny and heartwarming surprisingly well, helps they're both good actresses, Horne for me was a weak point, he's just not especially enjoyable to watch but overall was a good film.
It's daft, OTT but in a natural way and genuinely funny, it wasn't supposed to be realistic it's just silly fun, I don't fully get what people expected?
It was a nice story, it meshed funny and heartwarming surprisingly well, helps they're both good actresses, Horne for me was a weak point, he's just not especially enjoyable to watch but overall was a good film.
- chris_rowe-881-168820
- Mar 18, 2022
- Permalink
This was as good as it could have been. The back story was lovely between all the gags. The police woman story was kind of annoying, and the animation to link the story together was a little strange, but this brought a whole new chapter to Nan without ever becoming stale. Really nice to watch and nostalgic if you used to enjoy the original Catherine Tate sketches. Glad she made it, and glad I went.
Felt like I was on drugs.what a god awful film. The character of Nan is ok for a few minute sketch but my god the cheapest film ever terrible acting awful story line.
Such a shame as love caterine Tate.
Such a shame as love caterine Tate.
- hudson-clive
- Jul 6, 2022
- Permalink
Went with open mind and was disappointed. Catherine Tate has dropped in my ratings in this dire waste of a movie. Forced toilet humour, weak story, abortionate acting all adds up to a pointless 95 minutes. Avoid.
- catstats24312
- Mar 25, 2022
- Permalink
This was always going to be rubbish. I can't believe they got this film funded.
I'd rather watch paint dry than ever see this again, and I truly mean that.
I'd rather watch paint dry than ever see this again, and I truly mean that.
- jscully-11338
- Mar 25, 2022
- Permalink
I would give it minus views if you could do it on here because it was just that bad.i watched Catherine tate on bbc and loved it when she played the nan character but this movie was nothing like the TV show and it has been totally stripped back for cinema and you cant do nothing to rude anymore in this snowflake world we live in.
- phil-mitchel8
- Mar 20, 2022
- Permalink
The Nan Movie
Surprisingly there was sufficient here to sustain a movie. In a nutshell Nan went on a road trip with her grandson to find her long lost and estranged sister.
It was very funny in parts whilst other gags fell flat, there was some great acting and Nan's backstory was very well done.
I'm giving this a weak 6 outta 10, meaning I enjoyed it and I was glad I went to see it.
Surprisingly there was sufficient here to sustain a movie. In a nutshell Nan went on a road trip with her grandson to find her long lost and estranged sister.
It was very funny in parts whilst other gags fell flat, there was some great acting and Nan's backstory was very well done.
I'm giving this a weak 6 outta 10, meaning I enjoyed it and I was glad I went to see it.
- martimusross
- Mar 24, 2022
- Permalink
If I could have given any less than 1 star I would have. The only funny bit was at the end. Even the Cinema gave up on the film as the lights went up before the end credits. That's 2 hours ( with the adverts and trailers)I'm never getting back.
- sigurdostara
- Mar 25, 2022
- Permalink
This film honestly caused me medical trauma, the sheer pain I had to go through to make it through this film was second to none.
If you think about how much you love your pet dog and then all of a sudden it got brutally murdered by a vicious psychopath (the psychopath being this film), then you'd be somewhere in the region of pain that I felt whilst watching.
If you think about how much you love your pet dog and then all of a sudden it got brutally murdered by a vicious psychopath (the psychopath being this film), then you'd be somewhere in the region of pain that I felt whilst watching.
- benneyboy777
- Mar 23, 2022
- Permalink
I was a fan of Catherine's Tate's comedy shows from day one and have always loved the Nan character.
I had high hopes for this but so often they are ruined when a series is turned into a film. HOWEVER not so with this.
This is, without doubt the funniest film I've ever seen. It takes a lot to make me laugh, but from the outset I was either smiling or crying with laughter.
I do not understand the negative reviews, it's extremely well acted by all, brilliant storytelling, excellent cinematography, superb direction and script writing that is razor sharp with perfectly timed delivery.
I often see the word "hilarious" being used but then when you see it, it doesn't even raise a smile. This is the very definition of hilarity.
The cinema was three quarters full and literally everyone was laughing out loud throughout.
At the beginning I thought it would die a death half way through or something and stop being funny, but I couldn't have been more wrong and the ending made me reach for the tissues in laughter.
If Catherine or any of the crew read this, THANK YOU for transporting me away from this grim real world, it was a genuine tonic. Also PLEASE do a sequel AND restart the BBC series, it's what we all need!
I had high hopes for this but so often they are ruined when a series is turned into a film. HOWEVER not so with this.
This is, without doubt the funniest film I've ever seen. It takes a lot to make me laugh, but from the outset I was either smiling or crying with laughter.
I do not understand the negative reviews, it's extremely well acted by all, brilliant storytelling, excellent cinematography, superb direction and script writing that is razor sharp with perfectly timed delivery.
I often see the word "hilarious" being used but then when you see it, it doesn't even raise a smile. This is the very definition of hilarity.
The cinema was three quarters full and literally everyone was laughing out loud throughout.
At the beginning I thought it would die a death half way through or something and stop being funny, but I couldn't have been more wrong and the ending made me reach for the tissues in laughter.
If Catherine or any of the crew read this, THANK YOU for transporting me away from this grim real world, it was a genuine tonic. Also PLEASE do a sequel AND restart the BBC series, it's what we all need!
- Birminghamukengland
- Mar 20, 2022
- Permalink
I'm not a fan of this character and I have gone on record in the past that Tate is a brilliant actor who is horribly squandered on her own writing.
It is this low expectation that probably helped make this a lot more watchable than I was expecting.
A cursory amount of research tells me that this movie had troubled production but the final product holds its own as an on brand examination of a character we have previously only glimpsed and exploring her background and her life before she became a "nan".
The humor is as broad as Tate always is but there is a poignant story here that illustrates how the most cantankerous older people you meet are grouchy because they have lived a long life of injustice and missed opportunities.
Seeing young Nan was pretty fascinating and the black soldier she loved was perhaps the most charismatic character of the movie. It's excellent that Gavin was willing to reprise the role though the road-trip-equals-emotional-healing plot during the present day is (though basically justified in itself) does meander a lot and at one point has that ghastly trope of someone turning on the radio and the news item that just happens to be relevant to the plot comes up. It is the weakest point of the story and I can believe it was an afterthought.
They clearly didn't have the budget they needed and they cheat their way through the set pieces with perhaps the ugliest kind of animation.
Still, I find the final section pretty moving and they hold off from the catch phrases with amazing restraint.
It is this low expectation that probably helped make this a lot more watchable than I was expecting.
A cursory amount of research tells me that this movie had troubled production but the final product holds its own as an on brand examination of a character we have previously only glimpsed and exploring her background and her life before she became a "nan".
The humor is as broad as Tate always is but there is a poignant story here that illustrates how the most cantankerous older people you meet are grouchy because they have lived a long life of injustice and missed opportunities.
Seeing young Nan was pretty fascinating and the black soldier she loved was perhaps the most charismatic character of the movie. It's excellent that Gavin was willing to reprise the role though the road-trip-equals-emotional-healing plot during the present day is (though basically justified in itself) does meander a lot and at one point has that ghastly trope of someone turning on the radio and the news item that just happens to be relevant to the plot comes up. It is the weakest point of the story and I can believe it was an afterthought.
They clearly didn't have the budget they needed and they cheat their way through the set pieces with perhaps the ugliest kind of animation.
Still, I find the final section pretty moving and they hold off from the catch phrases with amazing restraint.
- GiraffeDoor
- Jan 1, 2023
- Permalink
I couldn't get over just how different she played Nan in this. She was calm and sedate. She never raised her voice I don't think at all. Barely any swearing.
Stupid scenes such as her going to a rave and doing shots. And then there's the immeasurable sadness at the end with the sister. Sorry but I only like her when she's ranting and raving.
Stupid scenes such as her going to a rave and doing shots. And then there's the immeasurable sadness at the end with the sister. Sorry but I only like her when she's ranting and raving.
- lopezpatricia-06139
- May 31, 2022
- Permalink
I could not watch much of this movie to be honest, it's just too bad. The humour is beyond simplistic, the acting atrocious and as for Nan- vomit inducing.
I hope the cast and crew take time out to have a good think about their contribution to the world, and their reflections lead to the conclusion that they are part of the problem, because they blatantly are.
I hope the cast and crew take time out to have a good think about their contribution to the world, and their reflections lead to the conclusion that they are part of the problem, because they blatantly are.
- Brotherswan
- Mar 18, 2022
- Permalink
Nan is a classic iconic character which over the years has made me lol
This movie is none of That this is by far the worst comady I've ever scene
Horrible.
Horrible.