['TAKE it or leave it' isn't a brilliant…]

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'TAKE it or leave it' isn't a brilliant film. Its acting, photography and direction ain't particularly much. However, it is good and well worth seeing.

It's about the formation and development of a group of nutty Camden youth into one of the best bands around, Madness.

The film, which was decided on the spur of the moment when the band had a few weeks free, is an example of the versatile, refreshing and spontaneous skills of Madness.

The movie's extraordinary quality is that it is so totally working class. It is perhaps the most impressive aspect and strength of Madness that they are able to sing about ordinary dull problems in exciting, danceable, and challenging ways.

It is encouraging to know that they can continue this process of presentation and theme in a simple; direct and highly enjoyable way onto the screen.

The film soundtrack, which is obviously excellent, starts off with a point the movie often obscured. It's a point many of their fans and those critics who give the band a racist tag could do with listening to. 'As far as I'm concerned/ You don't have to be black, white, Chinese or anything/ Just enjoy/ Shut up, listen and enjoy"

The visuals start off with Barso and Chrissey boy nicking rock'n'roll records. It goes on to the early problems of getting gigs, personality clashes and arguments over the band's direction.

It's interesting to see what an arrogant personality Barso could be to those who were letting the band down.

Rucking

The main thing about the movie is having fun. It's pretty, much the 1979 Madness phrase, 'Fuck art, let's dance' polarised.

There's a really funny scene of Suggsie and a skin playing with Underground lighting tubes (like Star Wars) and being chased by cops. But it's also those normal laughs you have, like rucking, going on the piss with your mates, dossing around and mucking about, like on estates or trains.

It's so normal and typical a script, and thus relevant and realistic to working class youth, that you'd expect it to be boring like Coronation Street. But it's got the extra element, that nutty sound, which changes everything.

•Memories As a Madness fan found it pretty funny to hear them play rock'n'roll and you realise then how down to earth they are.

Another thing I lited about 'Take it or leave it' was that it didn't try to have any messages morals to put over to its fans. Also, it didn't try to portray Madness as any different or better than its fans, like all those boring old Presley and Beatles movies did.

"Take it or leave it' was better than its nearest counterpart, 'Dance craze' • This was because it wasn't just a soundtrack with pictures, but a funny, interesting, scripted movie of our lives.

The only thing that I didn't like was when they became the North London Invaders (prior to being called Madness). This brought recollections of when I was given free tickets to see them in 1978, when they played a fundraising benefit gig for NUSS, and I didn't go. Bad memories.

i think it would be good if the old two-tone bands could have got together and made a documentary about what the movement stood for. But this wasn't the task of "Take it or leave it' which is for the fans, not the analysts. Also it'd probably bore all the rudies, nutty boys and skins.

Anyway, if you've enjoy. ed the nutty sound and the videos, go see the movie. It'd be madness to miss it.

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Socialist Organiser. Thursday 12 November 1981 Page 12 Organiser, Thursdal' Terme Writebac