Watch David Brent: Life on the Road

David Brent: Life on the Road is a 2016 British mockumentary comedy film directed, written, produced and starring Ricky Gervais. It serves as a continuation of the popular television show, The Office, which Gervais co-created with Stephen Merchant. The story of the film focuses on the titular character, David Brent, who is now a sales representative for a company called Lavichem, and spends much of his time trying to launch a music career. The film follows Brent's attempt to go on a self-financed tour with his band named "Foregone Conclusion" and become a rock star, while also trying to reconcile with his past and his former colleagues.

As the tour progresses, Brent's behavior becomes more and more erratic, often leading to awkward, cringe-worthy moments that are a hallmark of Gervais' comedy style. Throughout the film, Brent struggles to balance his own delusions of grandeur with his need to be respected and admired by those around him.

In addition to Gervais, the film features a strong supporting cast that includes Rob Jarvis as Brent's long-suffering colleague, and Abbie Murphy as one of the members of his band. Other actors from The Office, such as Martin Freeman and Mackenzie Crook, appear in cameo roles as former colleagues of Brent, providing additional nostalgia and tie-ins to the original show.

Thematically, David Brent: Life on the Road explores the concept of unfulfilled dreams and the lengths one will go to achieve them. Brent's desire to be a rock star is an extension of the character's need to be loved and respected, which is something that he has always craved but never quite achieved. The film also explores themes of friendship, dignity, and redemption, as Brent attempts to reconnect with his former colleagues and make amends for past mistakes.

Visually, the film is shot in a mockumentary style, similar to the original version of The Office. This style allows for a more naturalistic and spontaneous performance from the actors, as well as providing an ironic commentary on the absurdity of Brent's actions.

Overall, David Brent: Life on the Road is a hilarious and poignant film that will appeal to fans of The Office and Gervais' unique brand of comedy. The film manages to toe the line between cringe-worthy awkwardness and heartfelt emotion, resulting in an entertaining and memorable viewing experience.

David Brent: Life on the Road is a 2017 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 36 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.3 and a MetaScore of 54.