David Brent: Life on the Road 2017

David Brent, portrayed by Ricky Gervais, has found himself mired in a monotonous existence for the past 15 years, hawking bathroom supplies at Lavichem. His colleagues are quite a mixed bag: there’s Jezza, who is a constant source of annoyance due to his inability to tolerate Brent’s unique sense of humor. Despite this, Brent receives support from the sympathetic receptionist Karen, the kind-hearted Pauline, and fellow sales rep Nigel. Yet beneath this façade of normality lies Brent’s deep-seated ambition—his desire to reignite his once-abandoned aspirations of being the frontman for Foregone Conclusion and to land that much-coveted record deal.

In a bold move to fuel his musical dreams, Brent opts for an unpaid hiatus from work and exhausts his pension fund to support his band members, which include the talented rapper Dom, the attentive sound engineer Dan, and a PR consultant. His lofty goal is to embark on a month-long tour, exploring the smallest venues in Berkshire. With each passing day, however, the dynamics within the group start to erode. Brent’s bandmates only engage with him when he’s willing to foot the bill, even going as far as to exclude him from the tour bus, citing that it’s too cramped for him.

The situation culminates during a pivotal performance, where a record label scout shows up but finds himself more enchanted by Dom’s rap skills rather than Brent’s musical efforts. As Brent grapples with the ever-growing costs, Dan imparts crucial guidance to his despondent friend: it’s time to stop trying to purchase the companionship of his bandmates and wasting away his pension in pursuit of fleeting fame. The band ultimately plays their farewell gig, surprising Brent by opting to share a celebratory drink with him afterward.

Upon his return to Lavichem, Brent is welcomed back warmly by Pauline, Karen, and Nigel. Meanwhile, Dom enjoys newfound success with a solo record deal, and the remaining members of Foregone Conclusion find themselves swept up in the orbit of Peter Andre. As Brent shares a cup of coffee with Pauline, their fingers intertwining as they leave together, it becomes abundantly clear: sometimes, a dose of harsh reality is necessary to truly appreciate what holds significance in life.