When Harvey Met Bob (2010 TV Movie) User Reviews

My 345th Review: Nostalgia, sure, but also clearly something more....

[intelearts · 8/10 · 27 October 2010]

If you were old enough, there's no way you don't remember where you were....

WHMB is a good TV drama with good acting etc; pushed to another realm by the fact that it s a story that should be and needed to be recorded - and honestly, it's great viewing. Sure, everyone only looks like the person they're playing just enough, but honestly it doesn't matter - it set out to capture a moment, a slice of history, and it tells the terrific story of how Live Aid happened, well, terrifically.

We really enjoyed this, not just for the massive nostalgia, but also because it does try to capture something of the amazement most of us had that we could do it, we could make the difference, that music and people could stop hunger in Africa. Nice central performances and a lot of energy lift this to another level and we forgot we were watching a TV movie and just got lost in the moment.

Very enjoyable, quite teary, and a lot of fun; for made for TV this is great viewing.

Great nostalgia

[paulh-15 · 7/10 · 10 January 2011]

Very enjoyable slice of TV history. Well acted throughout and a fascinating insight into the lead up to Live Aid. Domhnall Glesson as Bob Geldoff was spot on. I would only make a couple of negative comments - firstly more attention could have been paid to period detail (in quite a few scenes modern cars are clearly visible) though I guess this could be down to the budget. In addition the actor chosen to play Paul McCartney was a bit of an odd choice who struggled a bit with his scouse accent. Perhaps with a larger budget, more attention could have paid to the making of the Live Aid single which was a little glossed over. Apart from that great TV with a thumping 80s soundtrack.

Live Aid

[Prismark10 · 6/10 · 29 February 2016]

There is no doubting Bob Geldof's tenacity in not only getting the charity single from Bad Aid together with an all star band but then six months later trying to organise an two all star charity concerts on both sides of the Atlantic at the same time while at the same time raising funds for the starving in Africa.

In 1985 few people realised how much by the seats of the pants Geldof's endeavour was and it seems miraculous that he succeeded.

Domhnall Gleeson plays Geldof. Maybe he looks too young to play him, Geldof was in his 30s at the time while Gleeson was more famous at the time being one of Weasley's in Hogwarts.

This film is partly based on fact and maybe overlooks some of the other key players in the tale such as Midge Ure. It tells the story of Bob Geldof persuading the famous concert promoter Harvey Goldsmith to put on the ambitious Live Aid event.

Ian Hart plays Goldmith but the real Harvey is a big man (physically and metaphorically) and Hart does not fit the size.

In reality he would had to move between heaven and hell to set up Live Aid and persuade the acts to appear for free. It is not reflected here and really it is very much Geldof who dominates in this drama.