DAVID BRENT: LIFE ON THE ROAD

It’s 12 years on and Britain’s most loved farcical television character David Brent (from The Office) finally returns in this hilarious mockumentary which should have audiences laughing out loud.

British comedic genius Ricky Gervais, who is credited as producer, director and writer, also stars in this eagerly awaited comedy which sees socially inept Brent assemble a band and embark on a self-funded road trip chasing his dream of becoming a recording rock-and-roll star.

Brent has his embarrassing ‘journey to stardom’ filmed as a documentary, which hysterically details the trials and tribulations in attempting to achieve his dream. The hired band detest his pretentious and arrogant persona and the few spectators who attend are perturbed and disengaged by the disparaging lyrics of his songs.

Nothing is sacred in Brent’s hilarious but cringeworthy songs which exploit sex, dying children, the handicapped and ethnic minorities, but they shouldn’t offend owing to Brent’s naivety and cheeky delivery.

This film delves much deeper into Brent’s character – is he a cool and talented singer/songwriter or is he just an egotistical attention seeker on an impossible quest defamed by his excruciating behaviour on and off stage?

Audience’s emotions may be momentarily challenged in the final moments of the film when reality sets in for Brent, and also as a universal message is appropriately conveyed. (MMo)

★★★1/2