TRISTRAM SHANDY is a remarkable book, dating from 250 years ago when the novel was new and yet packed with jokes, asides and devices that still seem modern and exciting now. Above all it is fun and doesn t take itself seriously at all. Neither does A Cock

TRISTRAM SHANDY is a remarkable book, dating from 250 years ago when the novel was new and yet packed with jokes, asides and devices that still seem modern and exciting now. Above all it is fun and doesn't take itself seriously at all.

Neither does A Cock and Bull Story, the film based on filming the book that is well known to be unfilmable.

Steve Coogan is playing Tristram and Tristram's father while taking swipes at his Uncle Toby, alias Rob Brydon.

Steve is flirting with his articulate PA, staving off a seedy journalist and squeezing in time with his wife and baby while looking at rushes, setting up scenes and arguing about costumes and the colour of Rob's teeth - a fetching shade of yellow.

The juxtaposition between the hilarious Tristram Shandy and the lunatic world of movies yields an original and diverting film under Michael Winterbottom's skilled direction.

A lot of people will love this, especially fans of Alan Partridge and The Office, and even the humourless brigade should find something to admire and snigger at.

Thanks to Cineworld, Stevenage.

SUE FISHER