'Tristram' is good-natured

TRISTRAM SHANDY: A COCK & BULL STORY — *** — Steve Coogan, Rob Brydon, Naomie Harris; rated R (vulgarity, profanity, violence, sex, brief nudity, brief gore, brief drugs).

The film-within-a-film aspects of "Tristram Shandy: A Cock & Bull Story" would probably seem fresher and would certainly be more enlightening if other movies hadn't done them before — in particular "Adaptation."

Still, this British import is a good-natured comedy featuring several laugh-out-loud sequences. And like its star, British comedian Steve Coogan ("Around the World in 80 Days"), it's rather peculiar and eccentric.

In fact, your enjoyment of the movie may depend on whether you find Coogan amusing. (Those who do are advised to stick around for the closing credits, featuring snippets in which he and co-star Rob Brydon compare their imitations of Al Pacino.)

"A Cock & Bull Story" turns out to be a mockumentary of sorts, about the filming of a movie based on author Laurence Sterne's well-regarded satirical novel "The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman."

In that production, Coogan plays himself — or perhaps, an even more prickly and self-involved version of himself. He's seen feuding with Brydon, and carrying on a flirtation with a production assistant (Naomie Harris). He's also trying to spend time with his girlfriend (Kelly Macdonald) and their infant son, who have come to the set for a visit.

If that isn't enough, Coogan is apparently trying to convince the filmmakers to give him even more screen time, and he's also trying to talk a tabloid journalist into burying a scandal about him.

Director Michael Winterbottom and his screenwriters obviously bit off quite a bit in even daring to stage scenes from a novel that is considered unadaptable. They also skewer the entire filmmaking process, rampant star egos and literary concerns.

Winterbottom collaborated with Coogan on "24 Hour Party People," as did the more ingratiating Brydon, a longtime collaborator who does a killer Coogan impression. And in addition to those two, several British comedians and other celebrities appear in cameos or supporting roles. Among them are Stephen Fry and Gillian Anderson (who becomes quite integral to the fictional movie production).

"Tristram Shandy: A Cock & Bull Story" is rated R for crude sexual humor, references and other, occasional use of strong sexual profanity, movie violence, simulated sex, brief full male nudity, some brief gore, and some brief drug content (references). Running time: 94 minutes.

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