This movie boasts one of the greatest soundtracks and greatest actor (Philip Seymour Hoffman) that ever lived, yet it failed to come up with a good plot. Rock and Roll movies tend to stink outside of the soundtrack and this one was no exception. There isn't much plot. It is more of a collection of skits involving the same characters, which by the way, are never really developed to the point you could feel for them. The phrase "inspired by true events" means there once were DJs, rock and roll, and pirate radio. I would have more respect for the movie if they had just left that phrase off. I also question the playing of Moody Blues' "Nights in White Satin." While it was out in 1967, it didn't get any real air time until its re-release in 1972. The comedy at times was good, but I would never use the words "rip-roaring funny" or "zany" to describe it. They should have expanded the DJ rivalry and left off the nerd looking for his father. Still, it is better than anything Paul McCartney ever did in the cinema.

It's 1966. Official radio rarely plays the popular rock music of the era. Some pirate radio stations pop up broadcasting from international waters. Carl (Tom Sturridge) got expelled from school and arrives at his godfather Quentin (Bill Nighy)'s Radio Rock ship in the North Sea. It's staffed by various oddballs like American DJ The Count (Philip Seymour Hoffman). They are allowed to bring female friends aboard sometimes. Government minister Sir Alistair Dormandy (Kenneth Branagh) and his sidekick Domenic Twatt (Jack Davenport) try to shut the radio station down through legal loopholes. Quentin brings legendary DJ Gavin Kavanagh (Rhys Ifans) out of retirement.

I like the various characters but the story meanders too much. It's like a run-on sentence that runs out of steam. This show should simply follow Carl and watch the fascinating wild times from his point of view. The movie starts out fine but the light humor fades quickly. Maybe Tom Sturridge is not big enough to hold center stage against this wacky cast of characters. This is a great era for music although the movie seems to be more about the rotation of beautiful babes. I would rather have the girl stay on the ship for the entire trip and have a real relationship.

My summary line is the German title of the movie. And yes the German title of the movie is actual an English one! But that aside it is also the name of a Radio station. A radio station that "helped" many listeners through rainy days and nights, as it is depicted in the movie, which is romanticizing the pirate radio revolution and it's DJ and demonises, the law (portrayed by Kenneth Branagh, who seems to enjoy his part very much).

Despite this black and white ideology, the movie still works, especially because of the actors. They are all great in it and the fun they had making the movie translates onto the screen. No coherent story to be found here and the premise is only loosely based on real events (that's how it feels). But it's still more fun to watch those guys rockin and rollin, then watching some other movies.