Junction, what junction?

Adam Hewitt • Published 18 Apr 2010 11:00 1 Comment

IT IS based in Reading and named after one of the town's landmarks - but the onscreen Cemetery Junction hardly provoked gasps of recognition.

The 1970s coming-of-age tale penned and co-directed by Whitley's most famous son, Ricky Gervais, left audiences at The Oracle Riverside Vue cinema entertained; but was it recognisably Reading?

Few people seemed to think so, although Gervais and writing partner Stephen Merchant do drop in a fair few references - a "Whitley home", people called Kendrick, 'Stonemead' school, Elgar Road, Reading FC, The Majestic nightclub and 'Vigilant Life Assurance'.

Tim Laird, 28, said: "I thought it was absolutely brilliant, really good. I didn't see much of Reading there, but still, a good film." Gary Provins said: "It really evoked the era well, though not Reading particularly, it could have been anywhere really. I thought it was an excellent film. I loved the Led Zeppelin track at the end as well."

Ali Hughes said: "It was funny, but also poignant and made me think about life and work - do I want to work all my life for a fruit bowl? I thought it was very good."

Her friend Jo Couzens agreed but added: "It was a shame they made up so much of Reading. We were trying to work out which bits were Reading, but the Cemetery Junction in the film they just made up.

"It was never at all like that and there's never been a train station there. But Reading was a lot more twee then."

But Merchant has insisted that, despite the name and references, it was never really meant to be about Reading, but rather "Anywhere, UK".

--- Cemetery Junction is on general release.

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• 

  david
  Unregistered User
  Apr 26, 16:28
  Report comment

  "not Reading particularly, it could have been anywhere really"
  
  Exactly like Reading really. Could be anywhere.
  
  Recommend?   Yes 0     No 0

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