Svengali
Svengali
PG-13 | 19 June 2013 (USA)
Svengali Trailers

Svengali tells the story of Dixie, a postman from South Wales, and a music fanatic. All his life he’s dreamed of discovering a great band and then one day, trawling through YouTube, he finds them… ‘The Premature Congratulations’. He hunts them down and offers them his management services. They are young, arrogant, sexy and utterly magnificent. Putting their demo on a cassette tape, Dixie heads out onto the streets of London…

Reviews
stantheman1961

I waited with eager anticipation of this film, I myself have been a MOD for 40+ years and the build up surrounding this film it was being likened to Quadrophenia it was nowhere nearHow disappointed i was, the main character 'Dixie'although wearing a Parka and MOD T-Shirt and telling us he was a MOD resembled no genuine MOD i have ever seen scruffy unkempt hair and walking around thru out the whole film with a tatty Tesco shopping BagOK to the film the plot was very thin Scruffy Mod comes to big city to manage a band any band don't matter that its not a MOD band again hard to believeI could not connect with any of the characters there was nothing to them very superficial i couldn't empathise with any of them sorry 4/10 for me

... View More
sajpratt-82-265277

I've heard it said that British humor doesn't always translate that well beyond the island's shores, often leaving many non-British audiences scratching their heads in contemplation, "Well, they said it was supposed to be hilarious, so what did I miss?"Like many of the British and Australian movies for the last two decades (I hesitate to say 'Commonwealth' in light of the superb efforts coming from NZ lately!)--made worse by inexplicable plot holes, kitschy lines, worn-out gags and predictable, stiffly-staged buffoonery--it's hard not to label this as yet another yawn fest.A fractured, ludicrously fashioned story line cobbled together from webisodes cannot be made whole by using atmospherics and poll-tested giggle gimmicks--various formulae mostly pushed by nervous producers and sponsors; 'if it doesn't make old what's-his-bob larf then it ain't on' still won't win an audience. I won't fault the acting here because it appears to be actors doing exactly what they have been instructed to do--admirable in the shallows that their various stereotypical, story-hobbled character development allows. I'll add that I believe it's possible that John Hardwick could have done better with more time and a better writer--the theme itself is fertile enough fodder for a decent writer.But, comedy or drama, theater is theater folks, as Will Shakespeare has endlessly demonstrated in transition from stage to screen to web. Seemingly lost within its own confusion and often distracting, pointless meandering--this just isn't good theater. It may have been a touch better had they included a laugh track.

... View More
Gareth Baker

I was a bit apprehensive at first when I first heard Jonny was making a film centered around a Welshman from the valleys going to the big-smoke, as Welsh people have been characterized mainly in mainstream media in a cringe-worthy stereotypical manner. It was nice, then, to see it made from the perspective of someone Welsh, from my hometown specifically, and he pulled it off so well. To the story itself, its not exactly There Will Be Blood, but it will provide you with plenty of laughs and even an insight to Mod culture. How refreshing to see Mod culture in a film other than Quadrophenia like! Although there were a couple of occasions where the action felt a bit too sitcom-esque, that is being a petty as the film was faultless really. The acting was great - Vicky McClure really is a talent - the soundtrack superb, beautifully shot on occasions and a fitting ending.Couldn't recommend it more. Have a gander

... View More
lizzie4929

The film is brilliant, so absorbing, great characters and storyline, awesome soundtrack and great British feelgood factor film! Great to see.Jonny & Vicky for the BAFTAS The film deserves massive success which I am sure it will gain. Can't wait for the sequel This is so the must see film of the year so far, if its coming to a town near you, you HAVE to get out and see it!!! Fantastic night, fantastic film. Gonna be a huge success. Well done all, you smashed it!!Great picture , nice touch the black and white. Great soundtrack as well, with tracks by Jake Bugg, Miles Kane, Mott The Hoople, The Stone Roses, Small Faces, Georgie Fame, The High Numbers, The Jesus and Mary Chain and many more!

... View More