Morris: A Life With Bells On

The 2009 British mockumentary Morris: A Life With Bells On revolves around the eccentric world of Morris dancing and the passionate character who deems it not just a pastime but rather a way of life. Directed by Lucy Akhurst, the film stars Charles Thomas Oldham, Akhurst herself, and Brodie Bass, with appearances from Andy Black and a plethora of other characterful players. It’s a quirky yet charming exploration of a unique subculture located right at the heart of English tradition.

The story tells of Derecq Twist, played by Oldham, an enthusiastic third-generation Morris dancer who's entirely absorbed in this folk dance of English origin. Derecq is not enjoying Morris dancing just as a hobby, not merely following a tradition, but fully immersing into it as his life's primary pursuit. With an almost religious fervour, Derecq sees Morris dancing as a conduit of profound symbolic significance, a transcendent experience beyond its apparent simple origins.

We observe Derecq as he sets off on an audacious journey to modernize Morris dancing, inventing daring new moves and choreographies for his team, aptly called the Millsham Morris. While the Millsham Morris is wholly supportive of Derecq's ventures, not everyone in the Morris community is entranced by the unorthodox storms Derecq is drumming up in the traditional folk-dance sea.

Ever faithful to the spirit of the mockumentary genre, the movie presents a plethora of colourful characters that populate the Morris dancing world, each more eccentric than the last. Amongst them are the seemingly sinister interests of the Morris Circle, the governing body that prefers to cling to ancient traditions than to the audacious freshness brought in by Derecq.

Then we have a strong supporting performance by Akhurst herself, as Derecq's American girlfriend trying to make sense of this peculiar world of bells and sticks he is so drawn towards. Brodie Bass performs admirably as the second-in-command of the Morris team, with Andy Black anchoring the cast with his brisk and dynamic performance.

The film takes a significant twist when Derecq's journey crosses the Atlantic to the United States, where Morris dancing is unexpectedly embraced with enormous enthusiasm, unlike the bemused indifference often encountered in the UK. Here Derecq finds an enthusiastic fledgling community and a somewhat unexpected celebrity status, providing a sharp, tongue-and-cheek critique on both sides of the pond.

Morris: A Life With Bells On is, at its heart, a film about passion. It's about following your heart, your desires, and fighting for it - even when people can't understand or accept it. But it's also about the conflict between tradition and innovation, between the individual and the collective, and the struggle to reconcile these parts of ourselves.

Beautifully shot in the English countryside, the film blends in elements of folklore, Medieval paganism, and contemporary global culture to paint a charming and hilarious portrait of a world little known even to Brits. The movie is multiple things at once: a love letter to Morris dancing, a hearty, relaxed comedy, an underdog story, and an unconventional tour of both British and transatlantic culture.

In conclusion, Morris: A Life With Bells On is an entertaining and heart-warming journey into a niche universe, showcasing an often-underappreciated slice of British culture with levity, respect, and an unabashed sense of fun. Well-executed performances by an enthusiastic cast, a solid script thriving on witty humour, humanistic narration, and beautifully scenic backdrops make it a worthwhile watch for those who enjoy offbeat and oddly captivating cinematic offerings.