A Stewart Lee-fronted documentary about the cult British musician Robert Lloyd, you say? The frontman of the John Peel-endorsed punk band the Prefects and their (much longer lasting) successors, the Nightingales? With cameos from John Taylor of Duran Duran and the comedian Frank Skinner reflecting on the slippery nature of Lloyd’s truth-telling and their part in his life story?
If that sounds like an appealing idea you won’t be disappointed by this.
Lee tells Lloyd’s story with skill, passion and verve as well as the kind of fourth wall-breaking acrobatics that fans of his cerebral stand-up will be familiar with. In fact, Lee has almost as much fun ribbing the art of documentary-making as he does with music and memories that clearly mean a lot to him. He is also very generous with his subject, although less fervent devotees may notice, when listening to Lloyd singing how and unswerving dedication to creative freedom can cascade into genuine awfulness (but, hey, welcome to punk music).
Nevertheless, as Lee follows the musician around the country, Lloyd radiates a winning charm, and his refusal to kowtow to convention amid poor records sales feels impressive and poignant. Lloyd believes fervently in his art, but never takes himself too seriously. Which brings us to Lee’s central motif (and explains the title);: an enormous pop art statue of King Kong that bestrode Birmingham city centre when both men were young. It serves as a symbol of the strength of Lloyd’s personality, as a strong nostalgic totem and another reason for these two tubby middle-aged men to frequently collapse into helpeless giggles. I loved every minute.
Patrick Kavanagh, Guardian.co.uk
Patrick Kavanagh, Guardian.co.uk
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Anon, BBC Complaints Log
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Danazawa, Youtube
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Mini-x2, readytogo.net
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Anon, westhamonline.com
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Nicetime, Guardian.co.uk
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Bobby Bhoy, Twitter
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Neva2busy, dontstartmeoff.com
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Birmingham Sunday Mercury
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Gmanthedemon, bbc.co.uk
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Jackmumf, Twitter
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Shane, Beverley, Dailymail.co.uk
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Anamatronix, Youtube
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Richard Herring, Comedian
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Neolab, Guardian.co.uk
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Mpf1947, Youtube
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Lee Mack, Mack The Life, 2012
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BBC iPlayer edition of discussion of Stewart Lee on A Good Read
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Tres Ryan, Twitter
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Genghis McKahn, Guardian.co.uk
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Pnethor, pne-online.com
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Esme Folley, Actress, cellist, Twitter
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Anonymous, The Northfield Patriot
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Zombie Hamster, Twitter
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Dahoum, Guardian.co.uk
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Pudabaya, beexcellenttoeachother.com
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Alwyn, Digiguide.tv
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Joycey, readytogo.net
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Whoiscuriousgeorge, Youtube
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DVDhth's grandparents, Twitter
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Ishamayura Byrd, Twitter
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Rudeness, Youtube
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Alex Quarmby, Edfringe.com
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Dominic Cavendish, Daily Telegraph
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Anon, dontstartmeoff.com
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Sweeping Curves, Twitter
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NevW47479, UKTV.co.uk
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Microcuts 22, Twitter
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98rosjon, Twitter
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Dave Wilson, Chortle.com
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Borathigh5, Youtube
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James Dellingpole, Daily Telegraph
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General Lurko 36, Guardian.co.uk
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Coxy, Dontstartmeoff.com
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Bosco239, youtube
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Yukio Mishima, dontstartmeoff.com
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Meninblack, Twitter
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Mrdavisn01, Twitter
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Leach Juice, Twitter
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Karen Laidlaw, Edfringe. com.
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Guest1001, Youtube
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Someoneyoudon'tknow, Chortle.com
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Rubyshoes, Twitter
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Iain, eatenbymissionaries
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Keilloh, Twitter
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Al Murray, Comedian
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Brighton Argus
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Spanner, dontstartmeoff.com
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Tokyofist, Youtube
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Hiewy, Youtube
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Syhr, breakbeat.co.uk
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Cyberbloke, Twitter
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Tweeterkiryakou, Twitter
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Robert Gavin, Twitter
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12dgdgdgdgdgdg, Youtube
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Jamespearse, Twitter
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Len Firewood, Twitter
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Kozzy06, Youtube
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Brendon, Vauxhallownersnetwork.co.uk
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Henry Howard Fun, Twitter
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Contrapuntal, Twitter
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John Robins, Comedian
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Secretdeveloper, Youtube
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Stuart, Chortle
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Cabluigi, Guardian.co.uk
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Fowkes81, Twitter
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Liam Travitt, Twitter
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Johnny Kitkat, dontstartmeoff.com
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Dick Socrates, Twitter
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Joe, Independent.co.uk
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Lenny Darksphere, Twitter
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FBC, finalgear.com
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Dominic Cavendish, Telegraph
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Visualiser1, Twitter
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Peter Ould, Youtube
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Carcrazychica, Youtube
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Meanstreetelite, Peoplesrepublicofcork
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Foxfoxton, Youtube
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Tin Frog, Twitter
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Maninabananasuit, Guardian.co.uk
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Anonymous, don'tstartmeoff.com
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Fairy Pingu, Twitter
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Rowing Rob, Guardian.co.uk
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Slothy Matt, Twitter
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Frankie Boyle, Comedian
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Mearecate, Youtube
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Cojones2, Guardian.co.uk
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Joskins, Leeds Music Forum
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World Without End, Twitter
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Shit Crit, Twitter
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Aaron, comedy.co.uk
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Sidsings000, Youtube
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Sam Rooney, Youtube
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Tweeter Kyriakou, Twitter