The Full Monty: Understanding this fabulous film

The Fully Monty - how does it translate?

One of my favorites films has been dubbed into many languages, remade in other countries and has been performed as a musical - amateur and professional. But when this has happened, how does it translate from the original?

Yorkshire, or British, humor

As a Yorkshirewoman living in the USA I've often been struck by the differences in our languages and humor. (Or rather, humour - I've been here a long time).

Successful worldwide

I imagine it does translate well and the overall theme is an interesting one that is applicable to many countries and societies as follows: An unemployed bunch of men decide that to earn money they will form a Chippendales-style act and become rich and famous by taking off their clothes. OK. Interesting.

Reality

The film is about more than the closure of one business - the city of Sheffield's entire industry was dying. That puts the story into a different context because the entire community was suffering, not just the main characters. In that respect, it is similar to the closures of the Yorkshire coal mines, also the subject of an excellent film. (See below). The entire North East was affected (again, see below). The Full Monty and the other films shown on this page show how people dealt with their situations with the grit, humour and honesty for which they are know. Nevertheless, the film inevitably touches on social issues (unemployment and child custody being the main ones) including homosexuality, women's issues and even suicide. So it's a little more than its generic description indicates.

Highlights

Be sure to watch out for these:

• The famous scene where the six 'dancers' are in line at the unemployment office.They start,imperceptibly at first, to do their moves
• The auditions for additional members to join them. Watch especially for the guy who 'can't sing and can't dance' but...
• Note the fact that Gerald hasn't told his wife that he is unemployed and dutifully sets off for 'work' every morning. (I know people who have done that)
• The scene where Dave's wife discovers his 'totty lotion' - that part of the film always makes my eyes water
• Dave's comments when watching Breakdancing - a movie he has stolen from the supermarket to instruct them in their dance endeavors

Language

The actors use Yorkshire slang (and English too) in this film which makes me wonder how others understand it.

Oh, and it typical British fashion there is a certain amount of 'language' as you'll see in the quotes below.

In the first video below, the lads are concerned about their bodies.

They suddenly realise that the women who watch them dancing will be judging their bodies - in just the same way they do to the girls. In fact, they will become sex objects - judged on their looks only.

Dave comes out with one of the best quotes.

The lads realize something.They are accustomed to commenting on women's 'attributes' - now they realize that women will be criticizing theirs...

See the trailer below to give you more idea of what you will see in this brilliant film.

It's a funny thing, really. The reason I class these three films together is that they are all classed by critics as comedies. Yes, they are all funny but that's not what any of these films are about.

The fact that these were filmed in the north of England (two being in Yorkshire) and feature northern characters they are automatically funny- we're a comical bunch of people.

But all three films are also about heart-breaking hardships.