User reviews

Considering the beating this film got in some reviews, I went to see it the other day, not expecting much from it. Surprisingly though, the film was pretty damn good! Paul Kaye (some of you will remember his often hilarious Dennis Pennis taking the mickey out of celebrities at film premiers) plays Frankie Wilde a mega famous DJ who's bringing dance music to Ibiza. All's going well for Frankie, he's rich, successful, has a wife and a string of sexy ladies on the side. All this goes down the drain when Frankie starts to lose his hearing, which of course, is not that good for a famous DJ. Kaye delivers some funny, upbeat lines throughout the film and so long as you don't mind his gurning for laughs, you'll enjoy the flick. Despite his arrogance and dirty coke and drink habits you find yourself cheering Frankie along and when he meets Spanish lip-reader Penelope you almost want him to get his hearing back for good. Although a gag-fest, filled with dirty humour and teenage-boy jokes, It's All Gone Pete Tong is a funny, witty film which will happily fill an hour or two in the coming summer months.

I only watched this film as my preferred choice on the night was sold out and I'm glad it was.

I expected to watch a cross between Human Traffic and Kevin & Perry go Large but what I saw had a real plot, which left me feeling like I had watched a proper film as opposed to a meaningless collaboration of pointless and ridiculous rubbish.

The film deals with real issues, while providing characters who are so over the top that you don't take it to seriously. The film gives you laughs and smiles when it chooses and leaves you satisfied that your money was well spent.

Makes a change !!

The movie is very good, very well shot and the director deserves praise for his work. Kaye gives a memorable performance. The story is good, with a strong melodramatic theme, as the film is not so much about Djs than about handicapped hearing impaired people. It is sad and sweet at moments with very moving moments. Some touches of black humor, very British, a bit of swearing and two macho crass jokes don't spoil the overall feeling of despair and total compassion you feel for the human beings portrayed. The music is good not so much the dance music but the score. The picture is superb knowing it was shot on digital. It's a low budget movie which looks like a 10 million dollar film. And a meaningful film. Not to be missed. A true achievement.

It's a mockumentary of DJ Frankie Wilde (Paul Kaye) who is well known within the Ibiza club scene. He marries video vixen Sonja Slowinski (Kate Magowan). Then he disappears for a year. Nobody knows why, but he's actually gone deaf.

I didn't like this style of mockumentary. It has those short interview clips to drive the narrative. Unless the individual characters are funny or crazy, it doesn't add any comedy to the movie. I'm not usually a fan of narrations, and this is the worst of them. Paul Kaye does an engrossing performance as the wild DJ. The biting satire of the clubing world doesn't always draw blood. But Kaye's performance does.

This film screened at the Cleveland Film Festival on Friday, March 18. It was paired up with a very funny short called "Winner Takes All". Everyone busted a serious gut about this short. I can't say anything about it else it'll spoil it for you, but look it up.

It's All Gone Pete Tong is a story about Frankie Wilde, a DJ who hit the decks of Ibiza. For anyone who's a club/trance fan, you'll recognize a lot of familiar faces in the film: Pete Tong (of course), Carl Cox (one of my favorites), Sarah Main, Paul Van Dyk (my #1), Tiesto (he looks a lot different on screen) talking about the life of Frankie Wilde.

One of the people next to me commented that this started out like Requiem for a Dream. While its not that severe, this does have heavy drug and alcohol use. This was too much for some people in the audience and they left.

But the storyline is amazing. Give this film the time and you'll see how the director and the actors create a very simple but uplifting story about redemption and change and romance.

The soundtrack, covering everything from dance to the Beach Boys (with an appropriate track at the end) is simply to die for. The film rep said this may not have a soundtrack in the US. I hope not.

If drugs and alcohol use are not for you, I'd skip this film. But if your looking for dry British humor with a ready heartily story along with terrific music, see this film and enjoy, just have some patience, its worth it.

I liked Paul Kaye's performance, and how there are different tones ;) to the film.

The documentary style interviews were annoying and unnecessary though, dragged it down to a 5 or 6/10.. could have been better without.

This amazing movie just won the grand prize at this weekend's US Comedy Arts Festival and it totally deserved it! I normally would have written this movie off without ever seeing it because I figured I'd hate it since I'm not into the DJ thing, but the audience in attendance, myself included, at the two screenings were floored! I even went back the second night to see it again and Ben Stiller had volunteered to introduce because he loved it so much and wanted to give it some extra attention. I think they said it's coming to theaters around April but I'm not sure. Anyway, you MUST go see it. Paul Kaye (he won best actor for the film, too) was supposed to be there but I never did see him. Too bad... This film wouldn't have been the same without his spot-on portrayal of DJ Frankie Wilde and I'd like to have seen his acceptance speech.

With It's All Gone Pete Tong, director Michael Dowse gives us a funny, original and heartwarming mockumentary. It's All Gone Pete Tong tells the story of a DJ who is addicted to drugs and alcohol, yet people call his music brilliant. Years and years of playing next to speakers have done considerably damage to his ears leaving him deaf. His career ends and he secludes himself in his house. People think he has gone insane, until he meets a young woman who is also deaf, who teaches him how to read lips. They fall in love and he gets his career back by using the vibration of sound to record new music.

The film is character centric, as we follow the main character from stardom to his falling and rise again. When we are first introduced to Frankie, the main character, he is an egocentric drug user. Qualities that usually are liked in people, but as the film goes on he loses all of these things and he get to know Frankie on a more personal level.

The scene involving his kick of his drug addiction is both hilarious and frightening. Michael Dowse disguises a lot of dramatic tension and themes under a comedic tone. Drug addiction, disability and infidelity are all present in this film, but Dowse uses them in a comedic way that it doesn't seem out of place with the rest of the film.

Paul Kaye is tremendous as Frankie. The entire film rests of his shoulders and he pulled off a comedic and depressing performance all in one. The entire soundtrack, with the exception of some classic scores, is mainly techno. It fits the theme and story of the film well. I believe the use of classical was a creative choice by the filmmakers because Frankie uses vibrations from the sound to create music, much like Beethoven did with his piano. I immediately saw a connection between the two and when classical music began playing it confirmed it.

It's All Gone Pete Tong is a comedic film that not only has laughs, but life lessons as well. Many of its themes are multi-layered as are the main character's conflicts. I had never seen or heard of this film before, but am glad that we were able to watch the entire film.

This film played the second night at Gen Art's 10th Annual Film Festival. I was expectedly waiting for the "big name" films Standing Still and Southern Belles but one of the Gen Art staff recommended I watch Pete Tong. Knowing a little bit about dance music (Moby, Paul Oakenfold, Fatboy Slim) and having watched just a couple of flicks (Go, Groove, 24 Hour Party People), my expectations were low. The theater was packed. Within the first 10 minutes, I was hooked. The opening sequence has Paul Kay (Playing the famous DJ Frankie Wilde) descending from the ceiling of a Ibiza club on a guide wire and then falling into a pool! The music THUMPS THUMPS THUMPS and the theater had the volume jacked so that you could feel the bass and vibrations. The plot is fairly predictable but the main actor does an amazing job. The film is well shot with beautiful colors, but lots of close-ups. Don't sit too close to the screen on this one. The furry Coke Badger gives us a humorous glimpse at the personification of addition. All in all, a fun show with a (Happily) cheesy ending. The film ended up winning both the Best Picture and Audience Awards.

'Pete Tong' is a movie that admittedly grew on me as it went along. I really wasn't getting into this movie, which is about one of the top DJs in the world, and his reaction to becoming deaf. GREAT subject matter. Wasn't quite sure about why I didn't get into the movie as much as I could have at the beginning. Maybe it was because I really didn't care for a character that was filthy rich, takes lots of drugs, parties all the time and is generally scummy. I'm sure that's it. But as we go along, and as he is more accepting of his hearing loss and what to do about it, he really started to grow on me, and I was sort of cheering at the end (but booing at the very end though, the ending sucks). I have no idea who this Paul Kaye is, but let me tell you, he has the most riveting blue eyes I've ever seen, so it's next to impossible to forget someone like him, he makes his character (actually named Frankie Wilde) someone you'll remember. He's very good in this role, and I would like to see some more of him. The supporting cast is alright I suppose, but not really memorable. As a partially deaf man, this was not necessarily the best movie about my condition. I actually prefer DEF, which was a short about a fully deaf teenager wanting to become a rapper. This is a somewhat okay alternative I guess.

Paul Kaye is the perfect type for this DJ-character in the Ibiza music & party scene. I'll keep it briefly. The film got lot's of aspects as my summary explains. A genius in his own right.

We saw the movie at the International Film Festival in Rotterdam (the Netherlands). It was a surprise movie at the last evening of this Festival. It really surprised us. Nighty minutes after the movie ended we were still laughing and talking about this unique movie. Something to remember: the alternative 'scarface' scene. It's the brain of Michael Dowse that we have to thank for such a film

Go see the movie and have fun! Even if you don't like house music.

Imagine 'Spinal Tap' meets 'Kevin & Perry Go Large' and you have pretty much summed up this mess of a film.

And it starts so well, interviewing legit DJs and dance music moguls about the imaginary legend DJ Frankie Wilde. It sets to be a truly ingenious spoof on the age of electronic music, but then it starts downhill from there. The editing is so screwed up, that half the film is cut to look like a mockumentary style film with talking heads, and the rest is shot like your regular cinema comedy flick with panning angles, and camera work that has clearly been decided to fit the piece not vice versa. It also doesn't help that the film is completely scripted (and not very well at that) so the whole effect looks very false.

The film's redeeming second half in which it battles with Wilde's deafness sensitively and thought provokingly almost drags the film up to a decent standard, with a decent film twist and a feel good feeling, but you can't help feeling that it could have been done a lot better, and not as rushed.

However, the film does have some good features, for instance Paul Kayes is brilliant as Frankie, becoming the character instantly, and rattling off a number of great one liners like a pro. He is probably the films strongest point.

It also has decided not to just opt for the stereotypical Ibiza feel of partying, drugs and Britishness, although it shows this side it also shows a beautiful, poignant and Spanish side to the devil's isle.

I liked this film because of my love of dance music and Ibiza, however as a film standing up on its own it inevitably fails and probably has a future destined to the bargain bin section of HMV.

The good thing about this that's at least fresh: Almost no movies about dance music and the club scene (if even made) hit the cinemas. And it radiates lots of energy too, from the music to the portrayal of Ibiza.

But the main problem is that it can't decide what it wants to be. Although it definitely likes to be a mockumentary in the line of This is Spinal Tap, the makers also realized they wouldn't want to play copycat. However, it fails grossly on the jokes because it's not very well written and most characters are underdeveloped. And it has no arc in its script and directing to make it to 90 minutes, so why not edit it down to 75? The production department and cinematography still try to save the day (e.g. Paul's home).

In a strange way and unexpectedly so It's all gone Pete Tong works much better as a simple drama in the line of Almost Famous. Especially the scenes with Beatriz Batarda offer some acting power.

Conclusion: it's a mess, it somewhat entertains at a basic level, but you better spend a night in your favorite club.

I was fortunate enough to score a ticket to the 9:45 AM screening of this film at the Toronto Film Festival. It's not usual that I'll be anywhere at eight AM, let alone standing in line, but as a fan of FUBAR, I simply had to see this movie. I'm not going to give anything away, nor will I waste space with a synopsis, but I will tell you that this is one of the best films I have ever seen. Paul Kaye does a remarkable job capturing both the humorous and painful essence of Frankie Wilde, a God-like worshiped DJ hammered with immense fame, beautiful girls, endless drugs and the physical toll of his role in the music scene. I'd never seen Paul in a film before, but after this I'm sure he'll be everywhere and I think that's awesome because his performance was Oscar worthy. Alongside Paul, is Mike Wilmot playing the part of Max Hagard and after his hilarious performance I cannot imagine anyone else in the part. Wilmot nailed it with grace, for he would spit out his lines with such conviction and meticulous comic-timing that he often caused gut-wrenching laughs and applause from the theater crowd.

Actors aside, it's the brain of Michael Dowse that we have to thank for such a film. Shot on a Sony 300 (I think) it has a crisp vivid look that sucks you in from the first frame. For the record, I hate house music, but I found myself so engrossed in the film that my head was bobbing to the beat. I didn't know what to expect after FUBAR, well okay "funny" was what I prepared myself for and it came in waves of hilarity. But it was the charming story, stellar performances and clever dialogue that make this picture stand way above the crowd. Seeing "It's All Gone Pete Tong" was a total cinematic sensory overload. At times I felt like someone was main-lining cocaine and scotch into my forearm while at others it was as if I was getting a warm hug from a loved one. FUBAR rocked and put Micheal Dowse on the map but "It's All Gone Pete Tong" that can, should and will, take over the world. Without blinking I give this 10/10 and encourage you to check it out and see what the hell I'm raving about.

I assume most of you can imagine that the wild club nights in Ibiza might tear on the party-goers but one shouldn't even have to mention the DJ's. Spinning wax in front of a crowd going wild combined with a heavy abuse of coke and alcohol might not be the perfect combination, especially if you're born with a hearing disorder - in other words - you're born as Frankie Wilde. This movie's based on Frankie and it's rare these days that Western movies "does it" for me, but this one did for sure. It's filled with comedy and struggle, blending em both together in a really neat way. After Frankie's losing his hearing he bangs his head towards the wall and he has to confront the facts that if he continues his life in the way he's been acting lately, he can only be heading one way and that's down, down and down. What does a DJ and a producer do when he's losing his hearing and going totally deaf while struggling towards his coke demons? See it for yourself. 7 out of 10 and a big thumb up for the main actor Paul Kaye for his excellent performance.

I love movies where people do a ton of drugs! This film takes place on the party island of Ibiza and revolves around the life of a DJ who is slowly going deaf. The music is cool even if you aren't into that music scene you will like this movie. For one thing its funny. I laughed out loud several times during this film. The acting is good from everyone. Its a touching story. Its a good movie to watch after getting a buzz. The scenes with the giant hallucination that chases him around are great. The way he dances and freaks out at all the parties made me laugh. I laughed a lot during this movie. It was a well written script. I hope more people get a chance to see this move. Anyone interested in deafness themselves should buy this movie.

Okay, a couple of things. First, I'm a big Paul Kaye fan, so I'm biased, and it all started with Dennis Pennis. For those of you who don't know Dennis, he's the original Ali G and IMHO much funnier. Search for "jeff meets dennis pennis" and you'll get a taste of Paul/Dennis and his ambush of Jeff Goldblum, who, I have to admit, rolls with the punches.

As a Paul Kaye fan, I was disappointed with Blackball. This movie (Pete Tong) was the first big Paul Kaye movie I really was looking forward to, until I read that the director was the same person who directed (and wrote) Fubar, which I cringed through and had to leave the room. (I would have turned it off, but the others were having a blast. Why? I don't know).

So, hearing that Paul was paired up with a director whose work I wasn't entirely enthralled with wasn't confidence building. I heard it won a couple of awards (Best Actor! Go Paul!) at the Aspen Film Festival in February and my confidence increased.

A sneak screening changed my initial impressions completely. The first half hour is really tough and I had to fight my urge to give up on the film even though Paul does an amazing job. See, I told you I was biased, but I'm not the only one. Ask those Aspen people. However, the last two thirds of the movie completely changes from a dark comedy into a light-hearted and empowering film. The music and the colors are fabulous and shows Paul's (as deejay frank wild) breadth. The film is really a "simple" redemption film, of a man who finds out what's important in his life and proves it for himself.

There's a love interest as well, and this works as a date movie. All the reviews and descriptions as a "dance" movie (I don't even know what that's supposed to mean) isn't entirely correct. While there is dance and rave in the film, it's really a backdrop for this simple story of a complex man who has to make some tough choices in life (and deal with a disability that is his worst nightmare).

Paul did an extraordinary job and I have to admit that the director really surprised me with this film, as it was nothing like his previous work. It's a difficult ride, but one worth taking. There's no "big surprise" ala 6th Sense nor is the beginning entirely too painful, but it's not all fun and games, either. Watch it and enjoy it and it'll be worth it. All least do it for Paul!

This cut and paste documentary is surprisingly not dated - it captures the mood of this era with great accuracy without dissolving into a clique-driven melodrama with no moral or closure, which so many other party/rave videos have unknowingly done. While I am sure there is much embellishment in this flick, it adds to the playful and carefree environment to which so many people have traveled, to capture a moment in time similar to Woodstock, the UK rave scene, or any other party-driven coke binge. This movie brings to mind HUMAN TRAFFIC and a less well-known documentary A London Something, a movie about the early junglist movement in the UK. I digress, but these flicks are worth seeing if you enjoyed PETE TONG, or at least want to know more about "the scene".

I just saw this movie in LA at the premiere, and it was GREAT! Kept me interested, excited, and laughing all the way until the end. there was this one part when My girlfriend and I were the only ones laughing at one part of the movie, and everyone else was dead serious, and I think the audience could have had a little bit better sense of humor, but whatever, I had a great time. I FULLY recommend this movie to... well, everyone! Lots of fun, Inspiring, Exciting, Dramatic, Cinematic, Captivating, The plot moves very well, and some great music to boot! GO SEE IT! :) I heard its going to be coming out in theatres tomorrow, although, I'm not sure where.

This is supposed to be the true story about Frankie Wilde, the great Ibiza DJ sheik, who got deaf, divorced and nearly dead because of the cocaine devil. But he recovered.

Paul Kaye is very very good in the Wilde part. He's got madness in his eyes, not just from cocaine, but from being apart from all that is normal human life. Still he gets back to the Earth, getting more and more dignity through a wonderful girl.

This is a Sunday school story, quite naive, but you can't help being touched by it and the performance by Paul Kaye is one of the best from this movie year (2004).

"It's All Gone Pete Tong" is a Biography - Drama movie in which we watch the life of the famous DJ Frankie Wilde while he losing his hearing. His wild life, the famous parties, alcohol and drugs were his main things along with music but when he lost his hearing, his mentality changed since he had to understand his new condition.

I liked this movie very much because it was based on true events, it had an interesting plot and it presented very well a very important subject. The direction which was made by Michael Dowse who was also the writer of it, it was very good and he did a good job on how it presented his main character not only during his hearing loss but also before, something that made us understand him even better and connect with him. The interpretation of Paul Kaye who played as Frankie Wilde, it was simply amazing. In conclusion, I have to say that "It's All Gone Pete Tong" is a nice, interesting movie and I highly recommend everyone to watch it because I am sure that everyone can learn something from it.

...because the first twenty minutes were so insipid, banal, and potty-humoresque that I turned it off and found something better to do. Apparently, some reviewers find the thought of a celebrity (repeatedly) puking into people's ears hilarious. I might have too if my sense of humor had not developed past what I had as a four-year old. The whole premise of this stinker at least starts as a cheap (and I do mean -cheap-) rip off of "This Is Spinal Tap," but with less acting and/or musical talent, and absolutely infantile writing.

"It's All Gone Pete Tong" honestly earns its one-star rating from me - it is unwatchable.