So goes with any popular comedy character(s), a film needs to be made
to essentially kill them off, in a 'we
won't be making any more of these' sense, as well artistically. Most inevitably
succeed financially, but are often poor attempts at transferring a character
that works in a thirty minute format to the big screen.
And so now comes one of the great British comedy characters: Alan
Partridge. With the previous incarnations of Alan Gordon Partridge, it would be
easy to suggest that the character wouldn't work on the big screen: spoof news
show sports reporting; chat show; claustrophobic, fly-on-the-wall account of a
man's life crumbling; and web-cam radio show. Turning a much-loved character
from intentionally un-cool scenarios into the more dramatic setting required for
cinema is a different-shaped potato altogether.
Well, to start, the three original writers, all involved here, have all
have experience working in cinema, albeit inconsistent, and as such know how to
work within the medium. The problem is, would this be one of their hits rather
than misses?
While not a corking, copper-bottomed hit, 'Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa'
is one of the better conversions. Quite nicely, they have put the character in
the sort of scenario he dreams of, though would be unable to cope with should
it occur. Unless of course, there is quality broadcasting to made. But with
Partridge, it's the mundane nature of the situations that make it so good, and
so while the film doesn't completely disappoint, it isn't the best incarnation
of the character to date, and is arguably, the worst.
It's disappointing that there are fewer of the regular Partridge faces from the past included within the cast, though this is probably a compromise that had to be made when moving to cinema, with the likes of Colm Meaney and Sean Pertwee drafted in. Compromise is probably what saves the film from becoming the depressing romp that comedy films can often descend into, with endless horrible afterthoughts thrown in at the end as the film concludes. Enough balance has been made to ensure that it is a film that can stand up on its own merits, but also not completely disappointing worshipers of Partridge.
There are some good Partridge moments, like his choice of vehicle,
though there is nothing particularly here to add to the endlessly quotable lines
delivered by Steve Coogan. Instead, it is an enjoyable enough ninety minutes of
comedy that builds the Partridge character further, leaving some possibility
that the old dog isn't quite dead just yet.
