Film
Drive-in Movies: Anchorman
- Director
- Adam McKay
- Certificate
- 12A
- Running Time
- 90 mins
Somewhere in this vanity project for writer/star Will Ferrell, there’s a perfectly serviceable idea for a satire struggling to get out. Down at San Diego’s Channel 4 back in the early 70s, the newsroom is awash with testosterone emanating from a boys’ own gang led by number one local anchorman Ron Burgundy (Ferrell). When long-suffering station chief Fred Willard attempts to introduce the word ‘diversity’ into the newsroom vocabulary by hiring ambitious reporter Christina Applegate, the fraternity is suitably outraged.
So there you have it: a promising send-up of antediluvian sexual politics on the cusp of feminism, offering Ferrell and co. the chance to stick on Burt Reynolds moustaches, dress up in bad clothes and misbehave. Trouble is, Anchorman loses interest in this approach pretty quickly, squandering the premise on a series of broad and often surreal comedy set-pieces, many of which obstinately fail to work. That didn’t stop it becoming a cult hit on DVD and spawning a lame sequel that even fans didn’t like.
This first screening in the drive-in cinema season at Ashton Gate’s Winterstoke Road car park will be preceded by stand-up comedy from local comedians Mark Olver and Jarred Christmas. Go here for more information and to book tickets.
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