Goodbye Charlie Bright **** (2001, Paul Nicholls, Roland Manookian, Phil Daniels, Danny Dyer, Jamie Foreman, Dani Behr) – Classic Movie Review 685

Goodbye Charlie Bright tells the story of a group of South London school friends begin drifting apart as they approach adulthood. It focuses on the relationship between two of them, Charlie Bright and Justin, over four hot days.

This is a frisky, gritty 2001 Brit rites-of-passage comedy drama, handled in an infectiously exuberant style, with a nifty star turn from Paul Nicholls as Charlie Bright, leading a bright ensemble of players, including Roland Manookian as Justin, Phil Daniels, Jamie Foreman, Danny Dyer, Dani Behr, Richard Driscoll and David Thewlis.

It is commendable as a thoroughly enjoyable, well-shot, nicely paced movie, with involving characters, a decent story and a great soundtrack. The lads have plenty of interesting, good stuff to do, but Daniels is typecast as his usual nutter character and Behr makes an all too short appearance as the love interest.

Director Nick Love turns in a surprisingly likeable, neat little movie. Love went on to be the director of The Football Factory (2004) and The Business (2005), both also starring Dyer.

Paul Nicholls hit the headlines in July 2017 for his horrendous ordeal in Thailand, where he was trapped alone in a rock pool for three days with a smashed leg after falling into a waterfall.

© Derek Winnert 2014 Classic Movie Review 685

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