Most 85 year olds tend to lead a quiet life. But not John Cleese.
Instead, he is embarking on a European tour, performing twenty three stand up shows over six weeks.
He’s not doing this out of choice. He’s doing this because a hefty divorce settlement has put the kibosh on a leisurely retirement.
So when we first meet Cleese, he is somewhat reticent. He’s grudgingly leaving a wife he adores and furkids he possibly adores even more.
Then there’s also concerns about his health. He has an array of ailments from head to toe (literally) and he can’t help but wonder if this trip will actually kill him.
After all, Cleese describes touring as gentle chaos so who knows what will happen. Funnily enough, this is also an apt description for this movie.
But rather than jarring our senses, the movie feels like an authentic experience instead of a polished marketing spiel.
At six foot four and a half, Cleese finds airplanes stifling. So we get to sit with him through monotonous road trips through the countryside.
There are sprinkles of sightseeing between shows. My favourite stop was a cheese shop, there was something whimsical about watching the comedy giant get giddy over dairy.
We catch moments of his comedic brilliance from his spontaneous quips and snippets of his shows.
But we’re also caught off guard by his musings about his life. He talks about parenting and beams with pride when talking about his daughters.
But there is a sense of bitterness when Cleese speaks about his ex wife. However, whether through self-censorship or clever editing, the film does not dwell on this. There’s just enough information to sate our curiosity and provide context.
The eureka moment comes in the closing chapter of the movie.
We understand why even though he was forced out of retirement and even though he would much rather be writing, he has so much pride and joy in his work. It’s a feel good, satisfying ending to a gently chaotic ride.
If you’re a John Cleese fan, this movie is a must watch.
However, even if you’re unfamiliar with Fawlty Towers and Monty Python, this movie will leave you with a whole lot of affection and respect for the towering legend.
John Cleese Packs It In is showing as part of the British Film Festival.