Michael Winterbottom sets out to film the un-filmable novel, an adaptation of Laurence Steren’s famed 18th century novel The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman.

The film starts off relatively straight forward with Steve Coogan playing the lead role and with Rob Brydon playing the part of Uncle Toby. However the film quickly turns into more of a documentary of the making of the movie with some brilliant behind-the-scenes banter between Coogan and Brydon.

Coogan shines in the role of playing a shallow and insecure version of himself often found paying far more attention to his attractive assistant rather than the mother of his newborn baby. Meanwhile Brydon is found consistently trying to convince Coogan and others that his role is a co-lead not a supporting role in a desperate attempt to share in Coogan’s spotlight. Just before everything goes out of control the producers hire Gillian Anderson (playing herself) to help save the production, but can she?!

Winterbottom has really created an original, hilarious and surprisingly touching film which pulls at the heartstrings of fatherhood and the stresses and strains of producing a real movie.

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