Danny and the Human Zoo

 

 

Cheerful, charming and deliciously humorous - this one off BBC biopic of the now newly knighted Lenny Henry is one I've been meaning to review for a while. Slightly warped (depicted as life in a "parallel universe" according to Lenny Henry himself, who starred and wrote the film) with names changed and I suspect events a bit stylized, this nevertheless is quite a captivating piece of insight into the early life and career of the now legendary Lenny Henry.

I would however, add one proviso. To truly enjoy this one, I feel you cannot really read too much into the level of performances and impact of the way things are presented. I know I often easily, and sometimes flippantly like to dissect the performances of key cast etc, and I feel it would often be all too simple to this time (and actually - I still will) but I don't want this to detract too much from the big picture as it were. I truly believe that Danny and the Human Zoo is a great watch, and whilst I do feel that sadly integral pieces are lacking - the overall effect is still a great one in my view.

Thus I start with the main point and lead role. Young unknown Kascion Franklin takes on the role of the young Lenny Henry, or Danny; as I say the characters are slightly changed (its odd but I think it still works). We follow him as he goes through the trauma of being a new, young black teenager in a predominantly white, and sadly racist community, alongside the experience of his whole family and community in such times, to developing a taste for impressions and comedy, to the beginnings of national recognition and stardom. The journey, as any fan of Lenny Henry will know, was not an easy one, and so too it is shown here. A lot of harrowing, and happy events are fired at the character of Danny, and as a result quite the emotional roller-coaster is needed in response. Sadly as I say - this is a key element that is lacking.

Granted the young actor is a master of the voices and impressions that catapulted Lenny Henry to stardom in his early days - the results of which are hilarious. Apart from that, I was dissapointed in the lack of commitment, power and character that the comedic giant needed to do him justice. Struggling throughout with the all-important Dudley accent, Kascion Franklin seems to just wander with a blind daze from scene to scene, displaying any turn of emotion with such a shocking lack of believability that he is almost wooden. It is a shame for me - the key role of such a key figure being distinctly lackluster.

However as I say, all is not lost. Kascion Franklin is not the only disappointing performance for me - as the role of his mother, played by Cecilia Noble, whilst having the potential to be a brilliant comedic jewel was lost in a sea of over-embellished accents and poor stereotypical reactions, but they are small flies in a largely great ointment.

A truly storming soundtrack, stunning set design and detail, great cinematography all instantly give that much needed period feel.  What's more there are plenty of quality performances to make up for the lack of oomph in a few lead roles. Arthur Darvill gave an unexpected but deftly quirky turn as seedy lovable rogue DJ turned manager Jonesy, plus we get  remarkable extended cameos from veteran great Richard Wilson and the wonderful Mark Benton. Evanna Lynch sizzles as Bridget (and in my opinion deserved more screen time) but by far the star of the show was Lenny Henry himself, playing his own father Samson. Wise, towering, tough, and full of charm and gravitas - his relatively minor role steals the show with ease, and perhaps rightly so.

So yes, a few of the integral ingredients don't come off, but whereas I would normally use that as ample excuse to dismiss something, here I implore you not to be so dismissive. As a one-off, simple celebratory piece I feel Danny and the Human Zoo is very well executed. Whilst it might not ever be a classic, it is I feel a very suitable and enjoyable way of paying tribute to a truly classic comedian.