Hadrina The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful

Mathilde the Guild Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.

Nicole I enjoyed watching this film and would recommend other to give it a try , (as I am) but this movie, although enjoyable to watch due to the better than average acting fails to add anything new to its storyline that is all too familiar to these types of movies.

Billy Ollie Through painfully honest and emotional moments, the movie becomes irresistibly relatable

RaspberryLucozade The end of the '80's saw Harry Enfield finally an established name thanks to his appearances on 'Saturday Live'. This one off comedy special - 'Norbert Smith - A Life' - was written by Enfield in collaboration with Geoffrey Perkins and was a mockumentary piece following the career of Norbert Smith, a 'luvvie' type film actor who in his twilight years lives in unhappy retirement following the decline of his successful film career.Interviewing the the doddery old ham is Melvyn Bragg whilst playing his wife his Renee Asherton. The British film industry is sent up something rotten, spoofs of films such as 'Cool Hand Luke' and 'Brief Encounter' are seen here, though the best item of all is a film segment entitled 'It's Grim Up North!', set in the run down Nothern areas of Yorkshire ( ''I'll take me bloody belt to you!'' ).Seen alongside Enfield in the film spoofs are Josie Lawrence, Felicity Montagu, Susan Field, Joe McGann, Peter Goodwright and Moray Watson among others.It was not outstanding but it was very funny, apart from a 'Carry On' spoof featuring Barbara Windsor leading a feminist protest outside Greenham Common, and it paved the way for Enfield's weekly comedy series which would soon make his name and fortune - 'Harry Enfield's Television Programme'.'Norbert Smith - A Life' is not one of Enfield's best remembered efforts, which is a pity as it is far more deserving of an accolade than his most recent 'The Windsors'.

luannjim NORBERT SMITH, A LIFE is an absolutely priceless send-up not only of British films over the years, but of the worshipful documentaries that cable and public TV companies crank out from time to time. (Using Melvyn Bragg as the narrator, doing exactly the kind of thing he was doing at the time on "The South Bank Show," was an inspiration, and kudos to Lord Bragg for being a good sport.) The film parodies are all spot-on, but the scene from the World War II action flick (with Sir Norbert finding an excuse to guzzle a glass of wine in every single shot), and the identical scenes from each of Sir Norbert's composer biopics (BEETHOVEN, MAN OF MUSIC; LIZST, MAN OF MUSIC; ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER, MAN OF MUSIC) are especially hilarious.And by the way, chalk me up as another member of the I Used to Have This on Videotape But I Lost It Somehow Club. What I wouldn't give to find a copy to replace the one I had!

paul2001sw-1 Harry Enfield came to fame with his long running characters Stavros and Loadsofmoney on British TV's copy of Saturday Night Live. Subsequently, his own sketch show (with a host of new characters) ran successfully for many seasons. But in between he made this brilliant spoof documentary, about the life of the "legendary British actor", Sir Norbert Smith.In just an hour, Enfield mercilessly parodies every genre of the much -maligned British film industry (my personal favourite being his take on the dour realist films of the early 60s, with the northern father asking his family: "When's that baby going to grow up and get himself a proper job?"). But it's all great stuff. In between the cod clips, he meanwhile paints a touching (and even more hilarious) portrait of senility. Perfectly judging the line between the sublime and ridiculous, "Norbert Smith" is a wonderful creation. This material could have run and run: instead, it ended where it started (though some of Enfield's later creations were clearly developed from ideas first tried here). A masterclass of comic creativity.

jayb Highly recommended. The parodies are dead on accurate; the performances are first rate. (Favorite moment: when Lady Norbert interrupts Sir Norbert during the suitcase story.) Put together with great attention to detail. (Watch for the editing and continuity errors in the Richard Burton war film parody.) I only wish it were available on video. I had a copy once and lost it.