The Inbetweeners Movie

2011, 15, Directed by Ben Palmer
Starring: Simon Bird, Joe Thomas, James Buckley, Blake Harrison

Even though each series of The Inbetweeners – the hugely-popular British E4 sitcom that follows four teenagers through increasingly ridiculous and embarrassing situations – was greeted with huge acclaim, the step from small to big screen is always quite a leap; other shows have tried and commercially failed (The League of Gentlemen; Kevin and Perry) whilst most haven’t taken the time to bother. But crucially here, unlike those other efforts, the gamble taken by creators Damon Beesley and Iain Morris is wholly necessary. Why? It's placement in the record books as the highest grossing British comedy of all time is surely answer enough. The series has a fanbase that yearned to be fed.

The series revelled in its main characters reacting to familiar situations in the worst possible way, deriving laughter from their every action. The Movie has translated this well, only Rudge Park Manor is swapped for ‘sun, sea, sex, booze and more sex’ as Will, Simon, Jay and Neil head to Malia. To divulge the hideously awkward situations the boys find themselves in would be to taint the laughter, for shock factor is a big element here. Just have it on good authority - the hilarity is amped up as far as it can go (too far?). Bird, Thomas, Buckley and Harrison's equal ability to remain endearing proves testament to the lads’performances, completely nailing every awkward characteristic they attempt to inhabit. Whenever Jay snarls a filthy slice of dialogue or Simon (still) whines on about Carli D'Amato, it is always delivered from a place where the masses can easily relate. Underneath their grotty teenage veneer are kind-hearted blokes whose friendship is made of steel. Maybe this is the secret to The Inbetweeners' success? 

Bravely introducing a group of female characters - who prove a neat match to the characters we know and love - combats the outing nicely, balancing out the appeal to both male and female. These are led by Laura Haddock's Alison, a charming addition who forms an unlikely friendship with one of the boys. Although the film tends to feel like a feature-length episode, as long as the jokes are thrown the audiences way, this shouldn't matter. Admittedly, there's the odd misfired quip or throwaway gag - but this is certainly not trying to be Airplane!. The importance lies in remaining true to the show's success and through positiviely puerile dialogue and easily the cringiest moments ever seen in cinema, Beesley and Morris have done just that. The result - for fans of the show - is that The Inbetweeners Movie will be the most fun you'll have for a long, long time.

Only when the credits roll accompanied by the series' theme tune (Morning Runner's Gone Up In Flames) does it hit you that this will probably be the last time these characters will be together on screen, whether it's big, small or anything inbetween. Not for everyone by any means (which knocks off half a point) but to all fans, bring your wellies... you won't only be knee-deep in laughs - you'll drown in them.

3.5/5

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