James Blunt bears his soul as thoughtful, funny film reveals self-mocking pop phenomenon

James Blunt became Twitter's wittiest celebrity embracing self-deprecating humour. Photo: PA

Dónal Lynch

James Blunt: One Brit ­Wonder begins with ­anti-vaccine protests in New Zealand. Authorities there have had the bright idea to disperse the crowds by blasting them with the most ­irritating music ever to reach human ears. Barry Manilow didn’t quite have the desired effect.

And so they go ­nuclear, cranking up Blunt’s You’re ­Beautiful to eardrum-perforating levels. But the plan backfires. The crowd basks in the cheesy soundtrack. In the end they’re having a big sing-along. Blunt, who’d rather hoped his song would work like musical tear gas can only shrug. There’s no accounting for taste.