Posted: Sunday 29th June 2008

Elroy Fletcher (Danny Glover) entrusts his beloved video shop, Be Kind Rewind, in the hands of Mike (Mos Def) when he leaves town to figure out how he can save his store from closing down. Before leaving Mr Fletcher explicitly states that Mike’s friend Jerry (Jack Black) is to stay away from the store. Unfortunately not only does Jerry turn up at the store, he also manages to wipe all of the video tapes after a freak accident magnetises his brain. Panicking that loyal renter Miss Falewicz (Mia Farrow) will reveal their mishap to Mr Fletcher, Mike and Jerry take matters into their own hands and start to reshoot all the movies they wiped.

Be Kind Rewind is the latest film from acclaimed director Michel Gondry. Following in the same style as Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind and The Science Of Sleep, Gondry has crafted another quirky, off-the-wall and original movie. Despite a slow start, Be Kind Rewind picks up pace and becomes very entertaining. From the moment Mike and Jerry begin filming their version of Ghostbusters the movie really shifts up a gear. Over the course of the movie it’s great fun watching the cast recreating iconic films such as Driving Miss Daisy, Robocop and Boogie Nights.

The success of the film, aside from Michel Gondry’s direction, is the partnership between Mos Def and Jack Black. The two work really well together and have an undeniable chemistry. Their relationship is impressively explored with Mike being the level-headed one and Jerry being the unpredictable sidekick. Danny Glover makes an impression in the role of Mr Fletcher and Mia Farrow shows she’s up for some fun as the video store’s loyal customer Miss Falewicz. Sigourney Weaver also turns up briefly for an amusing cameo appearance.

Extras on the Blu-ray edition of Be Kind Rewind include several featurettes, behind-the-scenes footage, a conversation with Jack Black and Michel Gondry and trailers.

Be Kind Rewind isn’t your typical comedy movie and that is its biggest strength. The film is at turns funny, often touching and has a lot of heart. The idea of a community working together to support the video store isn’t something that happens in today’s world but the idea of it is somehow very comforting. Be Kind Rewind is a short and sweet movie and there is a lot of fun to be had whilst watching it. Michel Gondry has come up trumps once again.