TRISTRAM SHANDY: A COCK AND BULL STORY Special Screenings

Michael Winterbottom (24 HOUR PARTY PEOPLE, 9 SONGS, IN THIS WORLD) has turned his sights on classic literature with this irreverent take on Laurence Sterne’s raucous The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman.

Witerbottom intercuts adeptly from the costumed world of the film – powdered wigs and battle scenes – that comprise the filmed version of the novel, to the more telling antics of the production staff. The cast all seem to revel in the collision of present exploits and period fantasies. Winterbottom lets the two realities collide into one another hilariously. The charming Steve Coogan plays both Tristram, the hero of the novel, and himself playing Tristram. Winterbottom guides both productions with style and flair, borrowing haphazardly from cinematic traditions and the digressive novel when necessary.

TRISTRAM SHANDY: A COCK AND BULL STORY possesses such creative audacity; with a barrage of wit, Winterbottom transforms the simple concept of a film within a film into a wholly entertaining film.