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When Harvey Met Bob, BBC Two

When Harvey Met Bob, BBC Two

The story of Live Aid entertainingly dramatised

by Sunday, 26 December 2010
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An Eighties 'Odd Couple': Domhnall Gleeson and Ian Hart as Geldof and Goldsmith

At one point in Joe Dunlop’s Boy's Own adventure-style dramatisation of the events leading up to Live Aid, concert promoter Harvey Goldsmith asked Bob Geldof: “Why are you doing it, that’s the question?” I’ve interviewed Geldof on a number of occasions and there’s no doubting either the sincerity or enduring nature of his commitment to Band Aid. I’m not sure, however, that I or anyone else, and certainly not this film, has ever quite got to the bottom of Goldsmith's question. Why Geldof? Why Ethiopia? And why couldn't he let go?

At one point in Joe Dunlop’s Boy's Own adventure-style dramatisation of the events leading up to Live Aid, concert promoter Harvey Goldsmith asked Bob Geldof: “Why are you doing it, that’s the question?” I’ve interviewed Geldof on a number of occasions and there’s no doubting either the sincerity or enduring nature of his commitment to Band Aid. I’m not sure, however, that I or anyone else, and certainly not this film, has ever quite got to the bottom of Goldsmith's question. Why Geldof? Why Ethiopia? And why couldn't he let go?

Domhnall Gleeson captured the surly eloquence, the awkward visionary streak, the maddening obstinacy shot through with naked self-doubt

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Submitted by Paul (not verified) on Thu, 30/12/2010 - 17:07
This was a dire and contrived fairytale version of what happened in 1985. It also rewrites history by excluding important facts and key figures like Midge Ure (Ultravox) the co-organizer of Band Aid and Live Aid. Stilted acting, mediocre direction and under researched facts is what to expect from this potboiler!!!!

Submitted by Dave Booker (not verified) on Fri, 31/12/2010 - 02:31
What a load of crap. No Midge Ure and re-wrote the famous f""k the address quote as f""k the post office! Why for gods sake re-write history! Many people mis- remembered that quote but not quite as badly as this lot. Nice to see they cast someone that looked nothing even close to a likeness of Paul McCartney. Who commissioned this tripe? Please sack them asap.

Submitted by Linda (not verified) on Wed, 05/01/2011 - 21:50
I have to say I loved it, I used to be an aid worker in Africa and it made me remember why.

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