Pete Postlethwaite is moving as the bandleader, whose dream of taking his players to compete at the Albert Hall nearly eclipses his appreciation of the dire issues they face.

| Sep 9, 2020

"Brassed Off" is about as sloppy as it gets, but for nearly two-thirds of the movie the gushiness is pretty much kept in check. And those two thirds are quite a treat.

| Sep 9, 2020

It survives through its never-failing sense of humour and the fact that by its loving depiction of alternative values -- of warmth and community -- to the ones it assaults, you feel it has earned the right to turn attacker.

| Nov 22, 2017

| Original Score: B- | Sep 7, 2011

Herman has come up with a neat idea in a setting he knows and understands, and the script, helped along by an excellent selection of Brit character actors, has a generally taught, well-worked-over feel.

| Jul 6, 2010

Writer/director Herman pulls off a popular, proletarian comedy which might actually appeal to the people it's about.

| Jun 24, 2006

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | May 5, 2005

| Original Score: 2/4 | Apr 12, 2002

A shining ensemble cast that hits all the right notes makes Brassed Off toot sweet.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/4 | Jan 1, 2000

The characters are beautifully drawn in this bittersweet melodrama written and directed by Mark Herman.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Jan 1, 2000

McGregor breathes life into a less-than-interesting role, Fitzgerald shines and Tompkinson is excellent as a man on the brink of cracking up. But Postlethwaite takes top honours ...

| Original Score: 3/5 | Jan 1, 2000

Full Review | Original Score: 2/4 | Jan 1, 2000

Occasionally, watching it is like being hectored by a blowhard who won't stop spraying mucus droplets on your face.

| Jan 1, 2000

Shamelessly manipulative and sentimental, but in an agreeably familiar way.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Jan 1, 2000

In the end ... the undeniable power and emotional richness of this film swing the balance toward the good.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Jan 1, 2000

"Brassed Off'' is a sweet film with a lot of anger at its core.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Jan 1, 2000

The cast is ardent as all get-out, but the most authentic emotional lift comes from the real-life Grimethorpe Colliery Brass Band, blowing their hearts out.

| Original Score: B- | May 23, 1997