'Nuts in May'

I always wonder if Nuts In May was intended to be as hilarious as it turns out to be. Full of quotable lines, the trendy-liberal 70s Keith and Candice-Marie may be overwhelming stereotypes, but they work extremely well. It's a simple tale, subtle in places, but with a great deal of depth. There's a moral here - how ever much you try and escape from the society at large and try and "do your own thing", there's always some authority above you, or someone who comes along and spoils things. Keith may be obstinate and a know-it-all, yet he has a certain sensitivity to his character, he cracks under the pressure, and though he may be a liberal, he isn't exactly tolerant and seems power-crazy. Candice-Marie seems to have a heart of gold, but she's really looking for excitement in her humdrum life. Ray may seem lonely but he has his head screwed on the right way and just doesn't want to be hassled. As for Finger and Honky, they are obnoxious perhaps, uncouth maybe, but they provide comedy and just want to have fun. There's a depth of character in Nuts in May that is refreshing, but there's plenty of humour... watching Keith and Candice-Marie embarrass Ray into singing their appalling hippy zoo song is totally hilarious, and the subtle interplay between the couple is marvellous at times. Mike Leigh gives us characters that are human, with flaws and quirks - there's a great deal of honesty here. It stands up for repeated viewings both for its comedy and its subtlety, and its classic 'quotability'. A masterpiece, frankly.

Lucas and Speilberg take note this is how you make great films....

that's how I feel about this made for TV film, from the seventies, if you are a fan of Independent cinema, then I urge you to go out and buy this film,. Mike Leigh, along with Ken Loach are arguably Britains' best film makers, and although not to everyones taste, you can only enjoy films such as Nuts in May, how can a film about a strict vegetarian couple on a camping trip can be so good? I hear you ask , trust me it is. I don't want to spoil this for anyone who has not seen it, but you will almost wet yourself with laughter. Special mention must go to Roger Sloman, who is one of the most underrated British actors ever. He has turned out in mostly the same role as a 'typical b*****d' such as Keith Pratt, and the TV man/holiday maker in Neils bedroom in the Young Ones. Along with Alison Steadman ( another Mike Leigh regular )

the performances are fantastic, watch out for the scene where they 'force' fellow camper Ray to join in their sing-a-long, Unforgettable * * * * *

This is a good film to see for anyone starting on the long, twisted road that is trying to understand the British. Keith is a deeply anal-retentive man on a camping holiday with his dim, lisping girlfriend, Candace Marie. When a rough biker couple arrives at the campsite next door, his ordered little world is destroyed and his sanity nearly goes with it.

The character of Keith is absolutely brilliant: I've never seen such a deeply flawed, contradictory, human character so well written and well portrayed on screen. Roger Sloman is utterly convincing and very funny. Alison Steadman is also very good and the whole film is difficult to forget.

To anyone who loves to observe the eccentricities of the human condition, this film is a real gem.

Other reviewers have rightly pointed out that very little actually happens: it's just an English couple on a camping trip in the 1970s. But that analysis is to ignore the genius at work in the writing, and the acting of the two leads. Every frame, every line, every gesture is filled with humour and pathos - if you're prepared to look for it.

Roger Sloman and Alison Steadman are just sublime in their portrayal of the new-age suburban middle class couple. We scorn them, we pity them, we recognise them and we like them (albeit we wouldn't want to spend much time with them).

For me, the other characters - though necessary for the 'plot,' are less well-drawn. But the two leads are on screen so constantly it barely matters.

There's not much else to say, really. You just have to watch it. A warning though: once discovered, this is the sort of film you want to watch again and again. The dilemma is how you strike the balance between savouring it regularly without getting to know it too well.... I think the important thing is to use your discretion.

Watching this movie has become a Christmas tradition for my family and it gets funnier every year. The plot is pretty mundane, but the dialogue and characters make for nonstop laughter.

While on holiday at a campsite, Candice Marie and Keith argue about whether it is necessary to chew each mouthful of food 72 times, take 3 pairs of shoes for a day hike, and have a few hysterical run-ins with their fellow campers.