'Nuts in May'

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.

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 * * * * *

The Morris Minor convertible used in the NUTS IN MAY Play for Today belonged to my family. My mother was shopping in Wareham Dorset, when members of the BBC had noticed the car parked in the town and waited for the owner to return, when my mother came back from shopping, they asked if they could use the car in a Play for Today. It belonged to my father, and it was agreed this was OK. The BBC kindly lent us a car during the filming. When we saw the play, we really enjoyed it, and could not believe just how much the car was filmed due to the main characters role, the car was almost as much of a celebrity as the leading stars! We recorded the play on video, and remember that this was such a well loved play that the viewers requested for it to be repeated, so with such an overwhelming amount of the public wanting to see it again it was repeated, and is still remembered as one of the best loved plays that ever was. perhaps the BBC would like to repeat it again?

Where it all began for Mike Leigh. This was a TV movie about a married couple who go camping. She is an easily led dimwit, he an absolute boor. He marches around the countryside dutifully doing guidebook walks without really taking anything in ("What's that, Keith?" "It's Number 12.") and sticking to his own pre-arranged plans no matter what ("We can't do that tomorrow, we're doing something else tomorrow!") Of course, he goes to pieces by the end, but the best bits are that sheer comedy of embarrassment that Britain does so well.

This little film is quite simply a joy to watch. Leigh's gentle humour and wry outlook on life shines through every scene. Effectively plotless, the film follows London couple Keith and Candice Marie Pratt on their camping holiday in Dorset.

The humour derives from the situations that the couple encounter which bring out the curious mixture of autocracy and liberalism in their characters. This reaches a climax with the arrival at the campsite of Honkey and Finger, a couple of rowdy Brummie bikers who infuriate Keith with their free and easy approach to life. When they try to light a campfire (forbidden by the camp rules), Keith attempts to lay down the law and all hell breaks loose.

The film is one long string of hilarious set pieces (still quoted in my family years after seeing it)My favourite is when Honkey and Finger shout 'get back to your tent' to Keith, who loses his temper and shows his true colours by shouting 'AND YOU GET BACK TO YOUR TENEMENTS!'

Overall a non-stop laughter session. But beware, the comedy is low key and character based. If your favourite comedy is 'The Nutty Professor' you probably won't like this much.