Reviewer's Rating 4 out of 5
Stoned (2005)
15Contains strong language, sex and drug use

Sex, drugs and rock'n'roll abound in Stephen Woolley's highly entertaining Stoned, about Rolling Stones founding member Brian Jones. The guitarist's wild and wicked ways - offspring by five different women and a drug habit which makes Pete Doherty look like Cliff Richard - is stylishly captured, as are the final few months in Jones' increasingly screwed-up life. Leo Gregory (Green Street) delivers a charismatic turn as the man who really made the 60s swing before becoming rock'n'roll's first lifestyle casualty.

Stoned is most definitely not a biopic about the Stones themselves. Mick'n'Keef are supporting players here, and the film isn't even that interested in Brian's music (Jones was a prodigious talent, playing at least 30 instruments). In essence it's a case study of the haves and have nots in 60s Britain, pitting middle class Brian against working class Frank Thoroughgood (Paddy Considine). As Frank and his team tackle the never-ending task of rebuilding Brian's house (at Pooh Corner - it was formerly owned by AA Milne), the builder gradually becomes seduced by Jones' lifestyle. Until, that is, the cash starts to dry up...

"A CELEBRATION OF A WASTED TALENT"

If you can remember the 60s, as the clich茅 goes, you weren't there. Luckily Stephen Woolley has lots of iconic movies to act as memory aids, and a great soundtrack that references Jones' blues influences. Witty - the script is by Bond scribes Purves and Wade - and thoroughly engrossing, Stoned is ultimately a celebration of a wasted talent who lived fast, died young and left a beautiful corpse. Here's one rock pic that won't fade away.

End Credits

Director: Stephen Woolley

Writer: Neal Purvis, Robert Wade

Stars: Leo Gregory, Paddy Considine, David Morrissey, Monet Mazur, Tuva Novotny

Genre: Drama

Length: 102 minutes

Cinema: 18 November 2005

Country: UK

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