Befitting the character’s excessive ego, and aping his own assumed status within his fictional world, Alan Partridge is a British media behemoth; over more than two decades, his star has risen from the ranks of radio to centrepiece roles on the small and big screens. Web series, books, and one-off specials have filled in the gaps of a career that started coursing through the airwaves on the satirical On the Hour, and reached a crescendo with TV series Knowing Me, Knowing You and I’m Alan Partridge. His leap to cinemas, now occurring with Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa, has been long mooted and eagerly awaited.
Partridge’s creator, comic force and off-screen alter ego Steve Coogan has enjoyed the spoils of his time as the now-infamous figure, his own fortunes rising and surging in tandem with the larger-than-life personality. So too, his partner-in-crime Armando Iannucci, the co-writer and producer of Partridge’s many manifestations. Of course, both are now known for other accomplishments – the former finding film success, the latter the vision behind political hit The Thick of It; however that narcissistic Norwich native remains their anchor.
Time has been kind to Alan Partridge (Coogan, The Look of Love), his distinctive tones still seducing local listeners – albeit in the far from glamorous mid-morning time slot, and on topics as mundane as they are plentiful. When change sweeps through the radio station, driven by new owners with their eyes on a younger audience and improved ratings, Partridge is both falsely assured about his tenure and aggressively willing to betray his colleagues to stay on the air. Fellow DJ Pat Farrell (Colm Meaney, Bel Ami) becomes collateral damage, but – returning post-firing with a gun in hand and revenge on his mind – doesn’t take the situation lightly.
Joining the ranks of sitcoms turned features proves an easy feat for the beloved comedic property, Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa enjoying brighter climes unseen in the likes of fellow cinematic continuations Bean and Ali G Indahouse. Instead, despite the obvious difference in its still-sharp humour, it is the trajectory of Iannucci’s In the Loop the film more closely apes, catapulting an iconic character into an extended situation with ease. The transition of Partridge to hostage negotiator in a Dog Day Afternoon-type scenario suits both his bravado, and the unlikely underdog he has always been even with his effusive aggrandising. Amusement in the marriage of personality and premise, knowing one-liners, slapstick gags, situational silliness and all, flows thick and fast.
Why Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa soars where others have failed stems from its acceptance of the property’s strengths, veteran TV director Declan Lowney (Moone Boy, Little Britain, Father Ted) and the writing team of Coogan, Iannucci and co-scribes Peter Baynham (Hotel Transylvania), Neil Gibbons and Rob Gibbons (also Partridge alumni) never attempting to take their titular protagonist too far away from its already-established formula. Action elements add entertaining beats, and a thoughtful reflection upon ego and redemption adds depth, but the movie remains a witty character piece thrust forward by the force of the underlying writing and performance. The end result provides yet another success to add to Partridge’s list of achievements.
Rating: 3 1/2 stars out of 5
Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa
Director: Declan Lowney
UK, 2013, 90 mins
Release date: October 24
Distributor: StudioCanal
Rated: M
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