Cemetery Junction poster & wallpaper
Get movie widget Recommend it Add to Favorites

Christian Cooke, Felicity Jones, Tom Hughes, Jack Doolan, Emily Watson ... see more see more... , Ricky Gervais , Matthew Goode , Ralph Fiennes

Playing out against the glamorous backdrop of Reading, England, during the 1970s, Cemetery Junction (a nod to the stretch of road of the same name) focuses on a small group of colorful characters who ... read more read more...work for an insurance company. Written, directed, and produced by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, the film marks the duo's first collaboration for the big screen and features a cast that includes the likes of Ralph Fiennes, Emily Watson, and Gervais himself. ~ Rovi

Flixster Users

63% liked it

12,980 ratings

Critics

56% liked it

34 critics

R, 1 hr. 35 min.

Directed by: Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant

Release Date: April 14, 2010

Invite friends to see

DVD Release Date: August 17, 2010

Get It:

Stats: 919 reviews

report incorrect info

Photos

official film still official film still promotional image DVD box art official film still official film still behind-the-scenes
Upload a Photo | View All Cemetery Junction Photos

Your Rating


clear rating

Flixster Reviews (919)

  • garyX
    January 24, 2012
    garyX
    A group of friends tired of their suffocating existence in a working class suburb in the 1970s look for ways to escape to a better life. Cemetery Junction is very much a nostalgic trip back in time to a period when an aspirational working class looked to escape their roots, only ... read moreto be restricted by their own lack of exposure to a world they had no experience of. It's strange to think how over a few short years the internet has transformed the world in this way; the working classes of the 70s were mired in "I expect my dinner on the table" sexism and racism born of ignorance rather than malice simply because they knew no better. Christian Cooke's central character represents the hopes and dreams of a young man wanting more than a life spent at a soul destroying factory job but soon realises that a life at a soul destroying office job doesn't seem much more appealing despite the carrot of the trappings of the upper middle class. The support provided by a very charismatic and chiselled Tom Hughes seems like the first steps of a future star and Gervais' hilariously ignorant 70s family provide some very funny moments. Very much in the same vein as the sitcoms of Clement and Frenais, it may stick to a well worn formula of feelgood romanticism but it has enough in the way of well observed comedy and likeable characters to make you enjoy the journey. Shane Meadows lite.
  • romy861
    September 12, 2011
    romy861
    Not bad, story set in the 70's about a group of friends and their lives. Nothing you won't have seen before, and I have seen the whole 70's setting done to better effect, but it's an undemanding movie with a few laughs and a few sweet moments in it too. Nice to watch on a dull ... read moreweekend.
  • rezpatriot
    July 19, 2011
    rezpatriot
    Captures only a part of the 70s in England, but captures it well, unfortunately it aims it at a large audience so probably has bad reviews. I cant believe the soundtrack, cus I hate most those songs, but together they worked well for an OST.
  • itsjustme2004
    July 18, 2011
    itsjustme2004
    I grew up in the 70's, and I have to admit that I really seem to like movies based in that decade...especially when it revolves around young adults. This movie was no exception. Ricky Gervais, and Stephen Merchant, did a fantastic job on this enjoyable little film. Heartwarming, ... read morefunny, and life lessons revealed here. Fantastic ending, also. Kudos!
  • LorenzoVonMatterhorn
    March 24, 2011
    LorenzoVonMatterhorn
    "Why does Noddy have a bell on his hat? 'Cause he's a cunt!"

    A 1970s-set comedy centered on three young working class friends in a dreary suburb of Reading.

    REVIEW

    While it lacks the puerile ta... read morelentless 'comedy' stylings that dominate most popular comedies these days, Cemetery Junction manages to provide a stunning example of the British comedy-drama at its best. Flawless heart-breakingly realistic performances all round (Ralph Fiennes makes a chilling boss, even with the few lines he has), great hilarious set-ups (won't reveal too much, but one of the best ones involves Slade, and a certain well-known children's TV character), and a heartwarming message about family, friendship and wanting more out of life (themes perfected by Gervais and Merchant with The Office and Extras). It provides situations and gags that sound relatively unoriginal on paper, but become something new entirely on screen. It has a real heart, genuine emotion, genius humour, and showcases what makes good old-fashioned British dramas the best.

    However, I fear those seeking a stupid comedy like The Hangover or Cop Out (where ridiculous unrealistic characters say random things desperate for laughs) will probably be disappointed. In short, a fantastic film for those who appreciate British comedy dramas in the vein of The Full Monty or East is East. Also, watch out for bald-headed Manc Karl Pilkington's 1 second cameo!
  • neverteaseaweasel
    September 22, 2010
    neverteaseaweasel
    I have never watched an episode of The Office, but I really was sort of skeptical when I saw that its creators had written/directed a film. That film, Cemetery Junction, is not at all what I would have expected to see. Rarely are the cynics' assumptions disproven, but this film s... read morehould really take a lot of people by surprise. It is sentimental, yes, maybe even sappy, but not in a poorly done way. The film NEEDS to be maudlin; it would not be as affective otherwise. All of us find ourselves at crossroads at various points in our lives. We are continually growing, moving forward. As a coming of age story, Cemetery Junction does everything it should do. We have a couple strong, lovable characters in the lead, the required sort-of-funny-but-really-just-obnoxious side kick, the baddies, and one strong supportive adult. What I wouldn't have expected are some of the supporting characters that are truly desperate or dysfunctional. There are many truly heartbreaking moments in the film, but also just as many humorous ones. Everything is perfectly balanced and plays out as it "should". Appropriately enough, the film even ends with our young lovers rushing to catch their train. Our personal journeys do not always work, but part of the magic of films is the promise that they can, and maybe even will. After all, why not?
  • roygutteridge
    September 17, 2010
    roygutteridge
    It?s refreshing to see a mainstream British film with the ambition to strut its stuff on studio terms.
  • gor41
    September 10, 2010
    gor41
    Curious concoction of styles and genres that doesn't quite gel as a whole. Its heartwarming core love story is by the numbers and nostalgic and so the broad comedy seems out of place with it (casting Gervais himself and a cafe owner cariacture were mistakes). Fiennes and Watson o... read moreoze class but the young cast show their inexperience at times.
  • sononothing
    September 4, 2010
    sononothing
    Cemetery Junction is a coming of age tale that has this weird, slight hint of Stand By Me and another weird hint of A Clockwork Orange. Three friends (Tom Hughes, Christian Cooke, and Jack Doolan) cavort throughout a small English town raising hell and trying to get laid on a nig... read morehtly basis. Each has a distinctly different personality: one is a rebel with a cause, namely rebelling against his fathers passiveness, another is obsessed with working a starting a future that has no future, and the third is the nerdy guy who can't compute around the female of the species. The thing about the three is that while each one of them is taking different paths they really don't know where they're going. They're basically identities that don't have an identity yet.


    This is a well made film from Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant that while it has some funny moments isn't really a comedy. There's some movie cliches in the film, but it's executed in a fresh way by the creators and the actors in the film. The message in the film outweighs some of the typical movie moments. A very good film from across the Atlantic.
  • ythelastman89
    August 27, 2010
    ythelastman89
    While it's not necessarily anything new in terms of storytelling or characters, it's still a really fun and well made movie with a huge heart. The good acting and above average cinematography make this deserving of your time. It has a great message about dreams and making the mos... read moret out of life.

View All Cemetery Junction Reviews

Critic Reviews

Ray Bennett
August 10, 2010
Ray Bennett, Hollywood Reporter

Disappointing tale of '70s youngsters devoid of wit or insight. Full Review

Andrew Barker
August 10, 2010
Andrew Barker, Variety

It's a strange hybrid of a film, boasting loudmouth boorishness instead of wit, and fortune-cookie schmaltz instead of heart. Full Review

Jason Best
March 14, 2011
Jason Best, Movie Talk

Gervais has come up with a surprisingly conservative coming-of-age comedy that shows very little of the satirical bite or formal daring of the TV shows that made his name. Full Review

Stephen Saito
December 25, 2010
Stephen Saito, IFC.com

As filmmakers, Gervais and Merchant find a rhythm technically that makes the fact they never find the balance between humor and heart that they've achieved in the past even more of a disappointment. Full Review

Simon Miraudo
November 23, 2010
Simon Miraudo, Quickflix

Gervais and Merchant's previous projects mastered the tightrope walk between comic cruelty and earnest drama. With Cemetery Junction, they waver wildly, unveiling some of their ugliest jokes and most ... Full Review

Sean Axmaker
September 4, 2010
Sean Axmaker, Seanax.com

Beware the comic creators who decide they want to be taken "seriously." Full Review

Peter Canavese
August 30, 2010
Peter Canavese, Groucho Reviews

A humble riff on the well-worn coming-of-age film. [Blu-ray] Full Review

Andrew Hedley
June 28, 2010
Andrew Hedley, Flicks.co.nz

An unabashedly feel-good and identifiable crowdpleaser. Full Review

Andrew O'Hagan
April 22, 2010
Andrew O'Hagan, This is London

Cemetery Junction successfully creates a visual tone for itself, then, when it comes to dialogue and plot, it goes ahead to make a different film altogether. Full Review

Rich Cline
April 22, 2010
Rich Cline, Shadows on the Wall

There's a strong autobiographical tone to this British period drama, and the cast is very good. But by never focussing the story in a meaningful way, the film pales in comparison to its nearest predec... Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Cast

More Like This

Click a thumb to vote on that suggestion, or add your own suggestions.

  • The Invention of Lying
    The Invention of Lying (98%)

More Movies like Cemetery Junction

Facts

Submit a Fact | View All
  • This is the first film that Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant have written and directed together
Submit a Fact | View All

Cemetery Junction : Watch Free on TV

Cemetery Junction Trivia

  • In the 2010 film Cemetery Junction, written and directed by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, the character played by Jack Doolan is called Snork. He received the name since he resembles Snorky of The Banana Splits due to the glasses he wears.  Answer »
More Cemetery Junction Trivia

Movie Quizzes

No quizzes for Cemetery Junction. Want to create one?

Video Clips

Upload a Video |

All Cemetery Junction Videos

Meet Other Fans

Add Cemetery Junction to favorites

Recent News

Submit a Story |

View Cemetery Junction News

Recent Lists

Make a List |

View All Lists

Most Popular Skin

No skins yet. Interested in creating one?