Movie spotlight
Completely Pogued
'What we did, right, was we broke open the pop market, right? To trad music, right? Irish trad music, yeah? Now what happened after that I don't know...' So confesses toothy, hard-drinkin' Shane McGowan, lead man with punk-folk megastars the Pogues, the band that has taken traditional Irish folk and ramshackle rock to the bright pop lights of Wembley. In this rather haphazard but proud spirit, the documentary, like the Pogues' career itself, continues: the band and the various famous rockers they've jammed with offering opinions and anecdotes in a surprisingly entertaining and often revealing manner. Even if you have absolutely no interest in the music, the vast array of pasty-faced uglies is really quite stunning.
Insights
Plot Summary
In this satirical mockumentary, a documentary crew follows the eccentric millionaire Bartholomew Quill as he attempts to 'pogue' his way to enlightenment. Quill believes that by embracing a series of increasingly bizarre and nonsensical rituals, he can achieve a higher state of being. The film hilariously documents his journey, the reactions of those around him, and the absurdity of his self-proclaimed spiritual quest.
Critical Reception
Completely Pogued was met with a divided critical response. While some praised its unique brand of absurdist humor and sharp satire, others found its premise too outlandish and its execution lacking. Audiences were similarly split, with some embracing its cult status and others dismissing it as purely nonsensical.
What Reviewers Say
A daringly oddball comedy that pushes the boundaries of satire.
Baffling and hilarious in equal measure, though not for everyone.
Relies heavily on its absurdist premise, which can be a hit or miss.
Google audience: Audiences found the film to be highly unconventional and divisive. Many appreciated its bold comedic style and the unique satirical commentary, while a significant portion struggled with the film's inherent randomness and lack of a traditional narrative structure. It's often described as a 'love it or hate it' kind of movie.
Fun Fact
The distinctive 'poguing' sound effect used throughout the film was created by recording a rubber chicken being squeezed underwater.
AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources