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United Kingdom released, PAL/Region 2 DVD: LANGUAGES: English ( Dolby Digital 5.1 ), English ( Dolby Digital Stereo ), English ( Subtitles ), WIDESCREEN (1.85:1), SPECIAL FEATURES: Anamorphic Widescreen, Cast/Crew Interview(s), Deleted Scenes, Interactive Menu, Scene Access, Trailer(s), SYNOPSIS: Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll is the story of Ian Dury, legendary punk and lyricist who, together with his band The Blockheads, created some of the wittiest, most original songs to come out of Britain in recent decades. During his lifetime and to this day, Dury inspired admiration and hilarity, using his childhood experiences (including the polio that disabled him) and acute powers of observation to fashion a unique hybrid of rock 'n'roll and the musical hall. Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll follows the brave, irreverent Dury from early adversity to art school maverick, from doting father to unlikely international popstar. SCREENED/AWARDED AT: BAFTA Awards, British Independent Film Awards, ...Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll ( Sex and Drugs and Rock and Roll )
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
25 of 26 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Ian Dury's life was tumultuous, but maybe not quite as exciting as this film. From the thrilling Peter Blake animated montage opening to a glorious 'coming of age' moment experienced by Baxter Dury at the end, the film won't let the viewer relax.
Andy Serkis is painfully realistic as Dury, forever imprisoned in his calliper and haunted by memories of being struck down with Polio, agonising confinement in an iron lung, and his time in the Chailey hospice for disabled children. The message of Chailey that stayed with Ian throughout his life was that if you fell down, you get yourself up again: which is all well and good, as long as those meant to encourage you are not sadists. The warder in charge of Dury's ward provided further inspiration for his irascibility. Dury's reaction to the man's fate is understandable, only shocking if you were 'on the board' and not in the ward.
There are surely few men whose wives and mistresses actually bond through the shared experience of living with, caring for and putting up with a man as 'difficult' as Dury. Olivia Williams and Naomie Harris give passionate performances. Ray Winstone gives a touching portrayal of father Bill Dury - himself ordering his son to get himself onto his feet - loving and gentle, despite a gruff demeanor.
This is as much Baxter Dury's story as it is his father's: From the moment of his birth, we follow Baxter's difficult childhood and his father's idiosyncratic involvement. In fact, Baxter shared the role of right-hand man for his father with Chaz Jankel - both in the band that started as the Kilburns (Kilburn and the High Roads) and evolved into the Blockheads - and in everyday life.
This is a tremendous acheivement. Dury might have scoffed and argued about goodness-knows-what, but I think he would be deeply moved by the film. Often frighteningly powerfull and funny, this is a high-standard Biopic of a much-missed man. Punk's Noel Coward crossed with Gene Vincent and Spartacus - Ladies and gentleman, Mr. Ian Dury!
Andy Serkis is painfully realistic as Dury, forever imprisoned in his calliper and haunted by memories of being struck down with Polio, agonising confinement in an iron lung, and his time in the Chailey hospice for disabled children. The message of Chailey that stayed with Ian throughout his life was that if you fell down, you get yourself up again: which is all well and good, as long as those meant to encourage you are not sadists. The warder in charge of Dury's ward provided further inspiration for his irascibility. Dury's reaction to the man's fate is understandable, only shocking if you were 'on the board' and not in the ward.
There are surely few men whose wives and mistresses actually bond through the shared experience of living with, caring for and putting up with a man as 'difficult' as Dury. Olivia Williams and Naomie Harris give passionate performances. Ray Winstone gives a touching portrayal of father Bill Dury - himself ordering his son to get himself onto his feet - loving and gentle, despite a gruff demeanor.
This is as much Baxter Dury's story as it is his father's: From the moment of his birth, we follow Baxter's difficult childhood and his father's idiosyncratic involvement. In fact, Baxter shared the role of right-hand man for his father with Chaz Jankel - both in the band that started as the Kilburns (Kilburn and the High Roads) and evolved into the Blockheads - and in everyday life.
This is a tremendous acheivement. Dury might have scoffed and argued about goodness-knows-what, but I think he would be deeply moved by the film. Often frighteningly powerfull and funny, this is a high-standard Biopic of a much-missed man. Punk's Noel Coward crossed with Gene Vincent and Spartacus - Ladies and gentleman, Mr. Ian Dury!
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I must be in a bit of a music biography mood, but why not when there are a couple of cracking examples of the genre currently on the DVD rental market? This one concerns the life and times of the late Ian Dury, a boy crippled by polio in his early years who forged a career as a new wave poet and musician, but had a difficult family life and strained relationship with his eldest son, Baxter.
The central performance by Andy Serkis was a masterpiece; he managed to attain all of Dury's mannerisms, speech patterns and movement to a tee, which was no mean feat. The young actor playing his son Baxter (Bill Milner) was impressive, although he didn't seem to age much during the film, which was a little odd? The other central roles of Dury's first wife Betty (Olivia Williams) and his partner Denise (Naomie Harris) were also truly believable. The narrative form jumps around a bit and uses Dury's music hall inspired performances to show some of his backstory, especially the time when he was sent to an institution for the disabled and others of his distant, but loving father Bill (Ray Winstone),
Probably the best thing about this film, as well as the music, is the fact that the screenwriter and director didn't shy away from showing Dury's volatile and often violent nature, which is a fact often missing from more sycophantic films. In conclusion, myself and my husband really enjoyed this film and it's a must see for any music fan.
The central performance by Andy Serkis was a masterpiece; he managed to attain all of Dury's mannerisms, speech patterns and movement to a tee, which was no mean feat. The young actor playing his son Baxter (Bill Milner) was impressive, although he didn't seem to age much during the film, which was a little odd? The other central roles of Dury's first wife Betty (Olivia Williams) and his partner Denise (Naomie Harris) were also truly believable. The narrative form jumps around a bit and uses Dury's music hall inspired performances to show some of his backstory, especially the time when he was sent to an institution for the disabled and others of his distant, but loving father Bill (Ray Winstone),
Probably the best thing about this film, as well as the music, is the fact that the screenwriter and director didn't shy away from showing Dury's volatile and often violent nature, which is a fact often missing from more sycophantic films. In conclusion, myself and my husband really enjoyed this film and it's a must see for any music fan.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
A great biopic that perfectly captures all the facets of the genius that was Ian Dury. As befits the man, his tale is told in a quirky fashion with much humour and pathos. It doesn't shy away from our hero's less than heroic qualities, especially the way he treated those around him, which is to the picture's credit. It charts his rise to success and the huge amount of graft he put in to make himself the star that he was. It shows the effect success had on him and those around him. In flashback it shows just why he was the way he was. It's deftly scripted and moving. It has a feeling of realism, perhaps due to the close involvement of the Blockheads and Dury's family. Andy Serkis' portrayal is a real tour de force. He just IS Dury. Ray Winstone in a short but powerful cameo casts a brooding presence that threatens to dominate the film. The film shows the highs and lows of this true individual, and even if you don't appreciate the music you will appreciate the story. Great stuff.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
"one of few true originals of the English music scene"
Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll is the story of Ian Dury, legendary punk and lyricist who, together with his band The Blockheads, created some of the wittiest, most original songs to... Read more
Published 3 days ago by S. F. husseiny
A butterfly mind
Some years ago I saw The Life and Death of Peter Sellers on DVD. It was a movie I had greatly looked forward to seeing, having long been a fan of Sellers, and having a slightly... Read more
Published 4 days ago by Andy Millward
One of them is to be magnificent!
Im trying to review the film rather thn the person, which is quite a difficult act, so if I stray forgive me. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Driza
"The Only Things I've Missed (in Life) are a Few Buses"
So surmises Andy Serkis, as punk poet extraordinaire, Ian Dury. How the most unlikely of popsters made it to the top despite crippling polio and how that both complicated and... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Tim Kidner
Does what it says on the tin...
It contains sex, drugs and rock and roll in vast quantities from beginning to end. Awesome, if you're into all that. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Miffy
Well Worth the Money
A Very good film, It takes you through all of Ian Dury's life and really tells you his influences and the true person behind the music.
Published 7 months ago by Tom Parham
OK FILM
This film is definetly worth a watch. It gives a good insight into the life of Ian Dury, who comes across as a bit of a scumbag.
Published 8 months ago by wpurcell
LOVED THE FILM
Really interesting film, filled in my knowledge of Ian Dury's life, as it was part documentary at times. I am so glad that I saw him at Hammersmith Odeon. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Gill Bentley
He had such a s very sad life....
I have been a fan of Ian's music since I was 15 or 16. Loved all the hits he had out around that time and are memories to me of growing up,. Read more
Published 11 months ago by GEORGINA HARMAN
A bit weird - but okay
Like Ian, the film is constructed in a psychedelic 'art form'.
IF you're a big fan of the man and his music you'll like. Read more
IF you're a big fan of the man and his music you'll like. Read more
Published 14 months ago by Typhoochimp
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