"Pirate Radio" remembers a time when rock 'n' roll really was rock 'n' roll — and not just a sanitized, derivative and "safer" version of all the music that came before.

It's also a film that stays true to that rock 'n' roll attitude. The comedy is a bit messy and sloppy, a bit out-of-control, and it can definitely offend at times, thanks to its offbeat sensibilities.

And yet it's one of the few fresh breaths of air out there, cinematically. This well-acted ensemble piece argues in favor of free speech without becoming too heavy-handed and ponderous.

(It should be noted, however, that the version being shown in the states has been heavily edited from the original, 135-minute European version. This one is 20 minutes shorter.)

Most of the movie takes place on Radio Rock, a ship anchored off the coast of England.

Governmental restrictions have forced a few radio station to close down and others to leave the mainland. Radio Rock's owner, Quentin (Bill Nighy), has a full staff of DJs who are blasting "forbidden" tunes by the Rolling Stones, the Who, the Kinks and others.

Quentin's biggest stars are The Count (Philip Seymour Hoffman), an American expatriate, and his British rival, Gavin (Rhys Ifans).

Into the midst of this chaos comes Carl (Matthew Sturridge), Quentin's wide-eyed godson. And in the meantime, Sir Alistair Dormandy (Kenneth Branagh) and his new right-hand man (Jack Davenport) are seeking governmental restriction that will allow them to shut down the "pirate" radio stations once and for all.

This is among the best work for screenwriter/director Richard Curtis, whose scripting credits include "Love Actually" (2003) and "Four Weddings and a Funeral" (1994).

He also put together an excellent ensemble cast. So far, both Hoffman and Nighy seem to be garnering the awards-season talk, as well they should.

But the supporting cast — which features usually dependable international talents such as comedian-actors Ifans (Wales), Nick Frost (England), Chris O'Dowd (Ireland) and Rhys Darby (New Zealand) — is equally good.

And relative newcomer Sturridge is able to hold his own with these actors, as well as Emma Thompson, who shows up for a brief bit as Carl's free-spirited mother.

"Pirate Radio" is rated R and features crude humor and language related to sexual functions and activities, other strong sexual language (profanity), brief simulated sex (mostly implied or overheard), brief drug content and references (hallucinogens and psychedelics), derogatory language and slurs, brief partial male and female nudity, and brief violent content and imagery (boat-related mishaps, including capsizing). Running time: 115 minutes.

e-mail: jeff@desnews.com