This is a British film that had astronomical success when released. As well as Robert Carlyle, who plays the main character Gaz, there are other recognisable comedy faces for British viewers: Mark Addy as Dave, Paul Barber as 'Horse', (formely Denzil in Only Fools and Horses, and Hugo Speer as Guy. Only in a British film could gnome theft and dancing in a dole queue (amoung other memorable scenes) get the whole audience hysterical.

The film's soundtrack features cool music of Wilson Pickett, Tom Jones, Donna Summer, Gary Glitter, Sister Sledge and, of course, 'The Stripper'. Indeed, as many people did in the cinema aisles, you will end up dancing yourself!

The downside is with regards to the DVD extras. Nothing special I'm afraid: scene access and original theatrical trailer only :(

Anyway. 4/5 for a great Brit-flick with an absol: would have given it 5 if the DVD extras cut the mustard!


"It's not bad - this stripping lark - is it?"   June 28, 2002
 9 out of 9 found this review helpful

The Full Monty is a "right good laff" (to borrow the parlance of its protagonists). Although the dialect may occasionally bewilder viewers unused to north-England speech, the humour doesn't need any translation. Gaz is down on his luck and is possessed of an endless supply of far-fetched money-making schemes. Inspired with a visit by the renowned Chippendale male strip-show artists to his hometown of Sheffield, and impressed at the huge amounts of money they make by seemingly just taking off their clothes and prancing around a bit, Gaz decides this is his ticket to some fast cash.
Part of the reason this film is likeable is that humour and realism go hand in hand. From the depressing backdrop of an industrial town with high unemployment, Gaz manages to cobble together a troupe of six unlikely strippers, including a suicidal security worker, a man with a dodgy hip, and a well-endowed bathroom repairman. These guys aren't super-studs, they're just ordinary blokes who are willing to give it a shot, and maybe, just maybe, get rich.
The film begins with Gaz and his friend Dave becoming marooned on a partially submerged car in the middle of a canal (the unanticipated result of one Gaz's plans), and the originality of the comedy continues throughout. So fresh is the humour, that the occasional moments when it sinks to the level of slapstick and cliche, disrupt the natural feel of the movie. The funniest sequences involve the self-titled 'Hot Metal' strippers - who have trouble comprehending dance moves unless they're related to positioning on a soccer field - attempting to master the strip-tease bump and grind (accompanied by a fabulous soundtrack of retro tunes, including Donna Summer and Hot Chocolate).


Nathan's cute!   December 6, 2000
 2 out of 11 found this review helpful

I thought this film was the best I have ever seen! Nathan(William Snape)is so cute and he played an outstanding part in this film! I would watch another film by this producers Top Banana!!!