Svengali (2013) User Reviews

Straightforward Tale of Thwarted Ambition

[l_rawjalaurence · 6/10 · 10 August 2014]

SVENGALI tales a straightforward tale of a would-be band manager Dixie (Jonny Owen) traveling up from his home in the Welsh valleys to manage a band. The band achieved a certain notoriety (pace the Sex Pistols) and secure a BBC recording session as well as numerous offers of recording contracts. Dixie tries his best to keep them under control, but finds the strain too much and eventually returns home with his girlfriend Shell (Vicky McClure). This film is very much a one-person show: Owen not only stars in it, but wrote the script and produced it. Director John Hardwick keeps the action going at a brisk pace, and there is some atmospheric cinematography by Catherine Derry, contrasting the lonely Welsh and Scottish rural locations with the urban squalor of central London. The film makes some trenchant points about the difficulties of surviving in the Smoke, especially when Dixie and Shell have to deal with a formidable central European landlady (Katy Brand). There are some memorable cameos by Martin Freeman as a record-shop owner and Maxine Peake as his long-suffering spouse desperately trying to prevent her husband from losing his temper. The story is a familiar one, but Owen turns in a winning central performance as Dixie: after what he experiences in trying to keep the band together, as well as dealing with a series of rapacious characters including loan-shark Teddy (Eddie Webber) and vamp Natasha (Natasha O'Keeffe), it's not surprising that he wants to return to the comparative security of home. In his final film before his untimely death, Brian Hibbard turns in a memorable cameo as Dixie's Dad; the scene where father and son talk to one another on a wind-swept Welsh mountain is particularly affecting.

Promising start goes downhill

[timlin-4 · 3/10 · 13 April 2014]

The story of bands "making it" is always interesting, though this movie is more quirky than dramatic or inspiring of course since it is fictional. The "Svengali" in this story is a socially awkward weirdo with a dream of representing a promising band, which is a somewhat easy way of setting up a comedy, though the character is sympathetic enough, and his banter with his girlfriend is amusing. It's not really clear if he has any ability nor if the band does so the movie really comes down to the character's development. But instead of the oddball finding strength, he finds weakness, basically degenerating into a little boy who wants a mommy. I suppose this is a something of a twist, and the sappiness may appeal to some, but it's particularly pathetic variation on the theme of the Weak British Male.

Hackneyed & Gimmicky = Boring

[sajpratt-82-265277 · 3/10 · 10 April 2014]

I've heard it said that British humor doesn't always translate that well beyond the island's shores, often leaving many non-British audiences scratching their heads in contemplation, "Well, they said it was supposed to be hilarious, so what did I miss?"

Like many of the British and Australian movies for the last two decades (I hesitate to say 'Commonwealth' in light of the superb efforts coming from NZ lately!)--made worse by inexplicable plot holes, kitschy lines, worn-out gags and predictable, stiffly-staged buffoonery--it's hard not to label this as yet another yawn fest.

A fractured, ludicrously fashioned story line cobbled together from webisodes cannot be made whole by using atmospherics and poll-tested giggle gimmicks--various formulae mostly pushed by nervous producers and sponsors; 'if it doesn't make old what's-his-bob larf then it ain't on' still won't win an audience.

I won't fault the acting here because it appears to be actors doing exactly what they have been instructed to do--admirable in the shallows that their various stereotypical, story-hobbled character development allows.

I'll add that I believe it's possible that John Hardwick could have done better with more time and a better writer--the theme itself is fertile enough fodder for a decent writer.

But, comedy or drama, theater is theater folks, as Will Shakespeare has endlessly demonstrated in transition from stage to screen to web. Seemingly lost within its own confusion and often distracting, pointless meandering--this just isn't good theater.

It may have been a touch better had they included a laugh track.

What a waste of talent

[michael-kerrigan-526-124974 · 3/10 · 24 December 2018]

Nothing worked. The drama didn't work. The humour didn't work. The love story didn't work. Worst of all, some great talent - Vicky Maclure, Martin Freeman, Maxine Peake, Michael Smiley - could do very little with such a poor script and production values. At times it was excruciatingly bad when clearly meant to be funny. At others it was just plain boring. A big disappointment. At least it was mercifully short. 4 out of ten

Proper feel-good film with a cunning storyline.

[garethmlbaker · 10/10 · 6 April 2014]

I was a bit apprehensive at first when I first heard Jonny was making a film centered around a Welshman from the valleys going to the big-smoke, as Welsh people have been characterized mainly in mainstream media in a cringe-worthy stereotypical manner. It was nice, then, to see it made from the perspective of someone Welsh, from my hometown specifically, and he pulled it off so well.

To the story itself, its not exactly There Will Be Blood, but it will provide you with plenty of laughs and even an insight to Mod culture. How refreshing to see Mod culture in a film other than Quadrophenia like!

Although there were a couple of occasions where the action felt a bit too sitcom-esque, that is being a petty as the film was faultless really. The acting was great - Vicky McClure really is a talent - the soundtrack superb, beautifully shot on occasions and a fitting ending.

Couldn't recommend it more. Have a gander

Disappointing

[stantheman1961 · 4/10 · 28 October 2016]

I waited with eager anticipation of this film, I myself have been a MOD for 40+ years and the build up surrounding this film it was being likened to Quadrophenia it was nowhere near

How disappointed i was, the main character 'Dixie'although wearing a Parka and MOD T-Shirt and telling us he was a MOD resembled no genuine MOD i have ever seen scruffy unkempt hair and walking around thru out the whole film with a tatty Tesco shopping Bag

OK to the film the plot was very thin Scruffy Mod comes to big city to manage a band any band don't matter that its not a MOD band again hard to believe

I could not connect with any of the characters there was nothing to them very superficial i couldn't empathise with any of them sorry 4/10 for me

Love The Accents

[IcyTones · 2/10 · 18 April 2021]

Maybe I was mesmerised by 'the accents', but It's a Comedy Movie which I enjoyed watching. However, the ending was a bit flat.

Great Cast, Terrible Film

[donegan-29848 · 1/10 · 12 March 2021]

Great cast. That was all that was good about it. Thought it was going to be a feel good film, but it had a poor slow storyline, not funny, not gritty just a slow boring film that didn't even have a feel good ending!! Why did I waste my time

A Squandered Cast

[pjyoung-64188 · 1/10 · 6 February 2019]

I bought a package of random films, and Svengali was in it. Having read the cast list I was instantly invested, with such performers as Martin Freeman and Matt Berry I couldn't wait to start watching.

And then the film started.

And I couldn't wait to stop watching. One of the most unwatchable films I've ever seen, and I watch a lot of bad movies. Jonny Owen as Dixie was utterly unlikable to me, and his performance was less enjoyable than nails on a chalk board.

I say avoid this film at all costs.

Svengali

[lizzie4929 · 10/10 · 5 March 2014]

The film is brilliant, so absorbing, great characters and storyline, awesome soundtrack and great British feelgood factor film! Great to see.Jonny & Vicky for the BAFTAS The film deserves massive success which I am sure it will gain. Can't wait for the sequel This is so the must see film of the year so far, if its coming to a town near you, you HAVE to get out and see it!!! Fantastic night, fantastic film. Gonna be a huge success. Well done all, you smashed it!!Great picture , nice touch the black and white. Great soundtrack as well, with tracks by Jake Bugg, Miles Kane, Mott The Hoople, The Stone Roses, Small Faces, Georgie Fame, The High Numbers, The Jesus and Mary Chain and many more!

Brilliant British comedy

[Max-Asti · 8/10 · 16 April 2014]

The movie is a comedy centered around a young Welsh guy who comes to London to became a band manager. Despite of his bad luck, the band will encounter an unexpected success. The story itself is not particularly original and we aren't faced with a masterpiece of cinema, but I found this movie brilliant. It made me laugh several times and found it absolutely amusing. The soundtrack is astonishing, there are a lot of British bands that I love. Martin Freeman, a real Mod in life, in the role of ....a real Mod is ingenious! Also Alan McGee who plays himself it's a fantastic idea. I repeat: the movie is not a masterpiece, but it's just a fun comedy that those who are familiar with British music and culture will appreciate. Personally, I loved it.