Spice World

Bob Speirs, UK 1997, 93 mins

Spice World. Is it good or bad?

Well, it's both. While it's not quite Citizen Kane it knows this, and plays within its limits, never taking itself too seriously. Although the Spice Girls can't act, the film does not require it - they are cartoon characters in a cartoon world.

The best lines, and moves, go to Victoria, the epitome of haughty, posh, gucci life. Emma stays strictly within character being bought off with magnums and telling the dream boys about the intricacies of her stuffed toy collection. Mels C and B provide opposite ends of the spectrum with B providing a clue as to who really wears the trousers in the Spice camp. C, once again, shows us something more than a facade - ranging through two emotions, which is possibly more than the film asks for. Geri remains the butt of jokes centering on her nude photos and claimed philosophical prowess. Some of the funniest moments of the film come when the girls swap roles only to complain of problems with ill-fitting clothes and the fact that they prefer their real' personalities.

Richard E. Grant is superb as their their professionally and sexually frustrated manager ("You don't have lives, you have schedules"). He complains about life to his boss (an excellent Roger Moore) only to be given cod-philosophical responses parallelling the film. His words are as meaningless and empty as the film - but still both are hilarious.

The film also features a procession of cameos from British stars such as Jennifer Saunders, Hugh Laurie, Michael Barrymore, Elvis Costello and Stephen Fry (superb as ever) who add fun to the film, popping up at unxpected moments and in unexpected roles.

One can't help wonder at whether there should be something more beneath the surface, whether girl power is really just a well meaning but essentially facile concept hinting at greater things to come. The genius of this film is that we refuse to care. Kim Fuller's script goes out of its way to keep us happy and smiling, the Spice Girls stick to a tried and tested formula - making for a bubbly, energetic, wonderful film. The sniping from the tabloids was surely inspired by the film's portrayal of the girl's shrewd media manipulations (and perhaps the build them up, knock them down' cycle). It's all light-hearted fun, and a welcome distraction from the real world.

Andrew Hesketh
EUFS Programme 1998-99