One Mans Madness

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Spending my teenage years in the cultural wasteland that is Romford, Madness occupied a special place in my heart. In the late seventies, early eighties a bygone era pre dating social media, music and clothes defined us. The outward display of who we were and who we were mates with. I loved the look and the sound of the boys. Doc Martins, Ska beats and a humour reminiscent of the silent films of Buster Keaton and Charlie Chaplin, who incidentally we all knew because they were still showing those films on TV.
We know the band, and who doesn't love Suggs? But what about the nutter on Sax, swinging around in mid air? That one is Lee Thompson the subject and star performer of this absolute gem of a film.

Jeff Baynes the camera man has known the band since their early days and shot the videos for Baggy Trousers and House Of Fun (By the way, he also has an Emmy and a BAFTA nomination for his, ahem, more serious work) The film shows a lot of those old videos and footage from the 1970's reminding us what life was like back then and how a bunch of kids could get together to form a band that would some 40 years later be embedded in our national consciousness.

But this is not one of those formulaic band bio's. The body of the film is shot almost entirely in Jeffs front room in NW5, not that you would know this, as he uses sweeping backdrops from New York, Tokyo, London and the Bahamas. Various close family relatives, friends and industry professionals  are interviewed but played on screen by Lee, who lip syncs to their voices in wickedly witty characterisation of them. In truth I can't tell you how funny this film is, I wouldn't want to spoil it for you. 

Its the opportunity to see films like this that make me love the BFI. The Q & A afterwards descended into anarchy with Mr Thompson completely unable to sit still or keep quiet such is his constant need to be the centre of attention, showing that there is indeed a fine line between one mans madness and genius. 

I don't know where you will be able to see this film, I hope it will be bought up by a TV channel or perhaps go to DVD but if you can see it, do. Its a great film, made in the true spirit of the Nutty Boys and as the song goes; 

"Don't watch that, watch this" . . . . . . 



© Theresa Collins