Lairy, drunken teens hand Pirates a pounding

Excuse us for indulging in another bout of box-office analysis, but the extraordinary success of The Inbetweeners Moviecannot pass without comment. As you will see elsewhere, the adaption of that mirthsome TV series raced to the top of the domestic charts. It's the combined UK and Ireland figures, however, that really set the brain whirring. With takings of €15 million, the picture has broken the all-time opening-weekend record for a UK comedy in these territories. Even those Bridget Jonesfilms were passed out.

Beaten only by Harry Potter, the film also registered the second-biggest opening of the year. Who'd have thought that Pirates of the Caribbeanwould be hammered by a humble TV spin-off concerning four drunk geezers in a squalid holiday resort? Of course, the film's success hangs largely around the cult status of the show. And, for once, "cult" is the word.

Originally launched on E4, The Inbetweenerswas intended as a naughty entertainment for older (largely male) teenagers, but has gone on to collect audiences across all demographics.

It should also, however, be noted that Hollywood has put out relatively few comedies this year. So, The Inbetweenerswill now occupy every cinema in the land?

Not quite. Following some obscure falling out, Ward Anderson, the country’s biggest cinema chain, remains reluctant to screen films distributed by Entertainment Pictures. Dublin-based readers will not, therefore, see the boys in the Savoy.