A MISFIT group of 1960s pirate radio DJs play pop music from a clapped out boat in the middle of the North Sea in this comedy from Richard Curtis.

Led by brash American The Count (Phillip Seymour Hoffman), the motley DJ crew of Radio Rock throw themselves into the rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle enjoying all the perks that come with it including groupies, long drinking sessions and boisterous banter.

Teenager Carl (Tom Sturridge) is expelled from public school and sent by his mum, played by Emma Thompson who seems miscast in the role of errant single mother, to spend time with his God father Quentin (Bill Nighy) who runs Radio Rock.

There Carl comes of age and gets to know and admire the DJs including womaniser Gavin (Rhys Ifans).

There is much hilarity as they get up to all sorts of schoolboy high jinks blissfully unaware a government minister played as a caricature by Kenneth Branagh, is almost ready to bring down the pirate stations.

The film, a homage to Radio Caroline, has some funny moments as well as a great soundtrack and look, but it is all a bit too puerile. Its best bits are when it captures a picture of a Britain united by music and about to lose its innocence and the camaraderie of the crew on board Radio Rock as they make their last stand.

At two hours 15 minutes the film is way too long for what it is - at least 30 minutes could have gone onto the cutting room floor.