This comedy proves that British cinema can occasionally offer genuine treasures. I’m not sure how it was initially received in the United Kingdom—it came out during a period of national mourning following the death of Diana Spencer, former wife of King Charles III—but here, its release was overshadowed by “Titanic,” which was dominating box offices everywhere. Despite that, from what I understand, the film still made money and garnered positive reviews. At the 1998 Academy Awards, it received four nominations, ultimately winning Best Soundtrack for a Comedy or Musical, an award category that has since been discontinued. The story unfolds in Sheffield, a city known for its steel industry but also impacted by economic hardship and factory closures—a situation comparable to what Detroit experienced with the auto industry and Matosinhos, Portugal, faced with canning factories. To make some money, six men band together to form a male striptease group. They have to deal with their own insecurities and then face public embarrassment when their venture becomes known. Throughout, there are numerous instances of clever, well-crafted humor, and the dialogue is consistently strong. Unlike what some critics suggested at the time, I found the use of slang and distinctly British expressions to be a positive element, contributing to the authenticity of the conversations. There are also several heartfelt moments demonstrating understanding and support among the characters. Peter Cattaneo’s direction was excellent, and the editing kept things moving with an engaging rhythm, avoiding unnecessary diversions or pointless subplots. Technically, the film features good production design and well-chosen filming locations; however, what really stands out is the soundtrack—essentially a wonderful collection of memorable hits from the 70s and 80s, including “You Sexy Thing,” “You Can Leave Your Hat On,” and other familiar songs. This impressive soundtrack was one of my favorite aspects of the film. The cast’s performances are another strength, spearheaded by Robert Carlyle, who delivers an inspired and energetic portrayal. He's supported by talented British actors like Tom Wilkinson (in what is arguably one of his finest comedic roles), Hugo Speer, and Mark Addy. Each actor performs admirably and has been given solid material to work with.

Source on TMDB