DJ Blackbeard rocks the boat

In 1960s Great Britain, back when rock ‘n’ roll truly was rebellious, several broadcasters went out to sea to transmit the music that BBC radio would not even allow for an hour.

They were pirates not because they sailed the high seas, but because they broadcasted without a license. Half the country would tune in to listen to the rock.

“Pirate Radio” is the story of one such boat and the government’s attempt to shut it down.
Aboard the ship the party never stops, nor does the drama. For this group of DJs who live at sea, life starts when they are on the air.

They live for the music – sex and drugs just round out the day.

Director Richard Curtis does well allowing each of his oddly egocentric characters to express themselves. Philip Seymour Hoffman and Nick Frost are no surprise as comedians, but Kenneth Branagh is an underutilized talent as the government representative sent to halt the “pornographic” music.

The movie is an inspirational look at the rise of rock ‘n’ roll and the power of music, but the plot sinks when Curtis goes “Titanic” on his movie and lets the drama run wild.