Greatest Days
Originally placed as a successful stage musical, Greatest Days has been adapted for screen in a sensitive portrayal of friendship, teenage fandom and grief. The film written by Tim Firth is set against a backdrop of well loved Take That songs with three of the original band members also acting as executive producers. This new dimension of the story is carefully directed by Coky Giedroyc to allow not only the songs to shine but the interweaving emotive stories of the characters to rise to the surface too.
This nostalgic story follows five Northern teenage girls growing up in the 90s, who share their hopes, dreams and adoration for their favourite (fictional) boy band, The Boys. When one of the girls is given five tickets to go their concert for her 16th birthday, it’s a dream come true for the friends. Dolled up to the nines and pumped with sneaky shots of alcohol, they head to the show for the night of their lives, but not long after a tragedy unfolds that transforms their young lives forever.
The film then brings viewers up to the present day as we meet older versions of the girls. Aisling Bea is cast as Rachel, who is now a paediatric nurse in her 40s. She enters and wins a radio competition to see a reunion tour of The Boys in Athens, which offers a chance to reconnect with her old friends, so she invites them along too. Particularly affected by the grief from their past, she plays her role with a serious and empathetic touch that is far from the comedic tone she is known for. Her younger version is played by Lara McDonnell, who not only also manages the seriousness of that loss, but also authentically coveys the part of a distressed teenager living with a violent and dysfunctional family, who seeks solace in the boy band’s music.
Rounded out by a brilliant ensemble cast that includes Amaka Okafor (as Zoe), Jayde Adams (Claire) and Alice Lowe (Heather), the narrative switches between the past and the present with interludes of song and dance that not only help move the story along but offer a depth to the emotions and bonds these friends all share.
This isn’t just another whimsical musical film adaption. Relatable and heartwarming, there’s a depth to the story that both the posters and trailer certainly don’t share, and Giedroyc succeeds in making Greatest Days a truly unexpected gem.
Ezelle Alblas
Greatest Days is released nationwide on 16th June 2023.
Watch the trailer for Greatest Days here:
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