When
the first adaptation of Compton Mackenzie’s novel was released in America, it
was called Tight Little Island,
because of the school marmy Hays Code, even though by 1949 it was well
established a great many red-blooded Yanks enjoyed a good whiskey just as much
as most Scots. However, nobody appreciated the amber libation like the
salt-of-the-earth residents of fictional Todday island in the Outer Hebrides.
When their wartime whiskey ration runs dry, a deep depression descends on the
island. However, potential salvation sits a few feet from shore when a
freighter carrying 50,000 cases of whiskey runs aground. It seems the Good Lord
will provide to those who help themselves in Gilles MacKinnon high-spirited
remake of Whiskey Galore! (trailer here), which opens this
Friday in New York.
When
the whiskey runs dry, some of the older islanders literally give up the ghost,
but for the most part, life still goes on. Booze or no booze, the daughters of
crusty old postmaster Joseph Macroon both still have designs to marry. Peggy
Macroon has fallen in love with Sergeant Odd, a well-liked veteran of the North
Africa campaign assigned to bring some semblance of military order to the Todday
Island Home Guard. More problematically, Catriona Macroon has eyes for George
Campbell, the schoolmaster who has always loved under his domineering mother’s
thumb.
When
word of the SS Cabinet’s minister wreck reaches the good island folk, they are
primed to launch their own salvage mission, but the minister insists they will
have to wait until after the Sabbath. They will also have to out-maneuver the supercilious
Home Guard commander, Captain Wagget. Fortunately, old Macroon will easily
secure the sympathetic Sgt. Odd’s cooperation, especially when he reminds of
the local engagement party custom, which obviously requires whiskey. A man just
can’t get married on the island without one.
Galore! with its traditional
exclamation point, is as genial as a boozy brunch at your favorite pub. They
drink whiskey with their whiskey on Todday Island, but they also come together
as community, defy pompous authority, respect genuine military valor, and Lord
knows they keep the Sabbath. They are God’s people alright—and they still
translate to the screen rather winningly.
In
fact, Naomi Battrick and Sean Biggerstaff develop some altogether charming
romantic chemistry as Peggy and Odd (although Ellie Kendrick and Kevin Guthrie
are somewhat less engaging as the other prospective couple). Eddie Izzard
definitely chews the scenery as the ramrod Capt. Wagget, but he never veers
into over-the-top shtick. Frankly, he is constantly upstaged by Fenella
Woolgar, who is delightfully acerbic, yet forgiving as Wagget’s wife, Dolly.
John
Sessions and James Cosmo add further color and attitude as the island’s doctor
and priest, neither of whom takes issue with a few dozen whiskeys to take the
chill off. All the collected eccentricity is perfectly anchored by Gregor
Fisher, who plays old man Macroon like a gruff but endearing curmudgeon, in an
old school, Monty Woolley kind of way.
