This was a one-off 2-hour drama on ITV. It is about a group of miss-matched neighbours going on a booze cruise to France. The script was very good with witty dialogue and strong characters. All the acting by the main and even the supporting cast was of the highest order with the veteran Brian Murphy brilliant as the moaning pensioner. It had plenty of laugh out moments and a clever 4-pronged plot. Though there were a couple of predictable moments on the whole it provided a decent level of entertainment. An enjoyable drama, which I recommend you watch.
12 Reviews
Good writing, well directed, well cast and one of the best things I've seen on tv for a while!
PtGrrtt7 September 2003
Really enjoyed 'the booze cruise' - it was well written, well directed, well cast and the music really worked. I loved the fact that we got the split between the guys on their quest and their family and loved ones back home. There was humor, pathos, fun and some wonderful characters - well done all involved!
Fantastic
mikeiskorn21 July 2021
I love this program! I have watched it so many times and have the boxset at home. I wish they still made comedies like this today. Shame things like this aren't repeated either. Luckily we have the internet and IMDB to rediscover lost classics and find new ones.
Five men in a boat.
ianlouisiana27 July 2016
Warning: Spoilers
A gentle pleasing comedy,very much of it's era. Excellent Mr B.Murphy is a stroppy Europhobe OAP who with his neighbours goes to Boulogne for that topical subject in 2003,a booze cruise. Except for the lovely Mr M.Benton,all the men involved return to a very different world from the one the had left a few hours previously. Mr Clunes' business has collapsed and his daughter's wedding gone phffft Mr Pearson's beloved West Ham shed had been crushed by Mr Murphy's chainsaw - welding wife(the lovely Miss A.Reid in cahoots with Pearson's own wife after a few bottles of wine,and young Master Wishaw' - Mr Clunes' prospective son - in - law has fallen for the charms of French cyclist . Oh,and the trailer containing the spoils of their trip has caught fire. Those who voted "Bremain" may well watch this with a glow of misty - eyed nostalgia,whilst "Brexiters" will cheer on Mr Murphy's anti - French rant which ends up getting them all arrested.You can't win,Brian old son.
delightful surprise!
datkins-37 September 2003
What a delightful surprise. I hadn't thought I would watch this, expecting another example of of bad behaviour, foul language and drunkeness.
But nothing of the sort. Instead an excellent drama, full of comedy that made me laugh out loud (and that doesn't often happen these days). Brilliant. 10 out of 10. We need more dramas like this.
It was well written with great acting and good direction and editing. The fun was original and kept me riveted, wondering what was going to happen next. The upsets were not driven into pathos and left you feeling that all's well that ends well. More like this please (and an early repeat showing too).
But nothing of the sort. Instead an excellent drama, full of comedy that made me laugh out loud (and that doesn't often happen these days). Brilliant. 10 out of 10. We need more dramas like this.
It was well written with great acting and good direction and editing. The fun was original and kept me riveted, wondering what was going to happen next. The upsets were not driven into pathos and left you feeling that all's well that ends well. More like this please (and an early repeat showing too).
"If I were a rich man"
ygwerin125 September 2021
5 blokes nip to Calais for cheap plonk in the days when it was allegedly cheaper, to buy the stuff in France than in the local supermarket.
This first episode of the trilogy introduces us to a number of family situations and we. Glimpse further edges to the relationships.
There is the happy family man Dave Bolton with his ever loving spouse, the lovely Cath the perfect couple.
There's Dave's best mate and fellow Booze Cruiser Rob along his significant other Leone, and his male proclivities.
Another ingredient is the Rainer family husband Clive his spouse Ruth, and their thoroughly spoilt daughter Chloe.
Any more for the skylark?
Rather there are the pensioners Grace and Maurice, who live somewhat adjacent to Rob and Dave.
Indeed they all reside almost cheek by jowl with one another, though they are separated by more than distance.
These are the main or principal ingredients but its how they stir together, that makes this a great and enjoyable jaunt.
This first episode of the trilogy introduces us to a number of family situations and we. Glimpse further edges to the relationships.
There is the happy family man Dave Bolton with his ever loving spouse, the lovely Cath the perfect couple.
There's Dave's best mate and fellow Booze Cruiser Rob along his significant other Leone, and his male proclivities.
Another ingredient is the Rainer family husband Clive his spouse Ruth, and their thoroughly spoilt daughter Chloe.
Any more for the skylark?
Rather there are the pensioners Grace and Maurice, who live somewhat adjacent to Rob and Dave.
Indeed they all reside almost cheek by jowl with one another, though they are separated by more than distance.
These are the main or principal ingredients but its how they stir together, that makes this a great and enjoyable jaunt.
Nothing Beats this!!!
shardy95885570918 October 2006
When i first saw this, i wasn't sure if i would like it. just two minutes in, i was hooked. 5 neighbours go on a booze cruise to Calais. Sounds simple enough, and i think from the geography they live near Dover so its plain sailing.
With these five gentlemen on board. Snobbish Clive, Moaning Maurice, Naive Daniel, Happy go lucky Dave and School Boy Rob things can only go wrong.
Im not going to say much about the storyline as im not going to spoil it, its too good to watch and enjoy rather than be spoilt. Only bits i personally didn't like was when the bride to be was found being "naughty" with the wedding photographer, but at least the groom got a better deal. the other being, i thought Martin Clunes character was a bit too snobbish and straight, then again, i had just watched him in Men Behaving Badly just before this came on.
Buy this DVD set. Its fantastic
With these five gentlemen on board. Snobbish Clive, Moaning Maurice, Naive Daniel, Happy go lucky Dave and School Boy Rob things can only go wrong.
Im not going to say much about the storyline as im not going to spoil it, its too good to watch and enjoy rather than be spoilt. Only bits i personally didn't like was when the bride to be was found being "naughty" with the wedding photographer, but at least the groom got a better deal. the other being, i thought Martin Clunes character was a bit too snobbish and straight, then again, i had just watched him in Men Behaving Badly just before this came on.
Buy this DVD set. Its fantastic
A charming delight
pbroomhead3 October 2017
I watched this on TV tonight, remembering with vague fondness its original outing in 2003. It was a delight, with an excellent script supported by a first rate cast. Not subtle, but warm, clean and really rather innocent fun. All Whilst the strongest elements were the combative relationship between Brian Murphy and Neil Pearson the sub stories with Ben Wishaw and Martin Clunes was also strong. Meanwhile back at home the wives (Claire Skinner and Anne Reid) were also enjoying themselves. Some predictable turns but all done with such charm that the 2 hours flew by. A real treat.
A little gem
brian38in200413 September 2003
Sex ? yes ! Violence ? yes ! horror ? yes ! It had all three,yet still managed to pass as a sincerely delightful comedy with actors who complimented each other wonderfully.Once in a lifetime something like this comes along and it's absolutely well worth waiting for.
Lads' Booze Cruise With All The Problems
t-d-t-m828 July 2023
It's five blokes on their dream escape to France to really stock-up and save a substantial wodge of cash in the process. It's pre-Brexit and at a time when it was very easy to bring back copious amounts of booze for personal consumption only back from the continent.
Of course that's now much more difficult. It's got a lot of slapstick British humour with plenty of quips and mockering. It's classic English humour.
It's not the best-of-scripts but it is done very well and I would not change too much. It's got some pedigree English TV actors lead by the illustrious Martin Clunes.
Literally five blokes on a mission to get their quality booze. Except it doesn't go as planned. There's an affair. There's several disasters. There's plenty of slapstick. It's getting the lads together and an adventure. It's quality British TV and pre-Brexit when life was a lot easier. Great stuff.
Of course that's now much more difficult. It's got a lot of slapstick British humour with plenty of quips and mockering. It's classic English humour.
It's not the best-of-scripts but it is done very well and I would not change too much. It's got some pedigree English TV actors lead by the illustrious Martin Clunes.
Literally five blokes on a mission to get their quality booze. Except it doesn't go as planned. There's an affair. There's several disasters. There's plenty of slapstick. It's getting the lads together and an adventure. It's quality British TV and pre-Brexit when life was a lot easier. Great stuff.
A fun and easy watch!
becky-9234616 May 2023
The Booze Cruise (2003) follows a group of men who go on a booze cruise to France where they experience success and many mishaps along the way. This film is a lot of fun and a very enjoyable watch! The actors all do great jobs and play very loveable and funny characters.
The film doesn't have much in terms of cinematography and there's no notable colour palettes, but this isn't really an issue considering the film's focus is on the characters and humour. The lighting is mainly very natural looking, and all the shots are clear and professionally filmed.
The original score is incredibly goofy, and adds to the humour of the movie in a fairly subtle way. The music used definitely fits the overall tone and vibe of the film, and the sound design is decent without being over-the-top.
What makes this film a blast to watch is definitely the characters; the actors all do great jobs at bringing likeable and well written characters to life. All the characters contrast each other nicely, with drastically different personalities and a lot of chemistry between them. Also, the dialogue is well written, including a lot of funny and witty jokes.
Lastly, this film is an easy watch that anyone can have a good time watching. Not much actually happens, but I found myself consistently entertaining due to the performances and writing. The movie is structured in a basic yet clear manner that follows Todorov's theory of equilibrium.
The film doesn't have much in terms of cinematography and there's no notable colour palettes, but this isn't really an issue considering the film's focus is on the characters and humour. The lighting is mainly very natural looking, and all the shots are clear and professionally filmed.
The original score is incredibly goofy, and adds to the humour of the movie in a fairly subtle way. The music used definitely fits the overall tone and vibe of the film, and the sound design is decent without being over-the-top.
What makes this film a blast to watch is definitely the characters; the actors all do great jobs at bringing likeable and well written characters to life. All the characters contrast each other nicely, with drastically different personalities and a lot of chemistry between them. Also, the dialogue is well written, including a lot of funny and witty jokes.
Lastly, this film is an easy watch that anyone can have a good time watching. Not much actually happens, but I found myself consistently entertaining due to the performances and writing. The movie is structured in a basic yet clear manner that follows Todorov's theory of equilibrium.
Great storyline and good acting.
roylfinch12 September 2021
The blokes are a really mixed bag. Back home, the ladies are also across different social backgrounds. Lots of little avenues off the main road here and they all work. Great little scenarios and twists. Not laugh aloud humour but gives you plenty to grin at and like. Just watched it again. Pity that the Clive character (M Clunes), is not in the 2nd and 3rd editions.
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