Reviews

I was dubious when my 65 year old father picked this DVD up from the shelf at Blockbuster. "Great choice dad!", secretly wondering why I let him pick 2 films out of the 3 in the special offer they had going. You see, my father has a penchant for Woody Allen and anybody who has a rather dry sense of humour, this includes Nicholson.

We sat down tonight, and the first thing that hit me was the way that the film was shot. It is shot using rather blue and green hues, so the film is rather subdued. Secondly, the music stands out. Instead of using a typical 'boohoo' orchestra, the film uses beautiful wandering piano and marimba sounds.

The characters, I could easily relate to. Helen, the faithful wife who is excited about getting to spend a new chapter of her life with her husband. The husband, who obeys his wife but secretly resents it. A sudden change which causes a rethink in everything he has done up until that point.

At first, this appeared to be a comedy, but it was soon revealed to be a beautifully poignant film. Throughout, it questions mortality, what you can achieve in life, and how to cope with loss, or change. I don't think I have ever cried as much in 2 hours as I did during this film, and yet at the same time laughed so hard that my sides were splitting.

I would thoroughly recommend anybody to watch this film. It will stay with you for a long time.

I was dubious about watching this TV film when it re-ran on ITV. Mainly because of it's followup, Vontrapped, with Caroline Quentin, which was extremely dark and full of modern day 'issues'. I was in for a pleasant surprise.

The setting of this film was superb and believable, and furthermore the casting was excellent. Martin Clunes perfectly played the rather stuck-up Englishman clinging to the ways of the past in his run down stately home, hiding from a world he believes is not ready to accept his appearance.

The film challenges issues of the holes we create for ourselves, and furthermore the assumptions we make about other people's beliefs and acceptance levels.

If you want to have a heartwarming tale which is beautifully shot and acted, this would be the one to chose. Its short, but packs in everything it needs to in the time. Its funny, but poignant, and subtle. And for this I think it merits a high rating.

This film has been on VHS in our cupboard since 1990, and takes pride of place at Christmas. The direction from the late and great Dianne Jackson ranks among the best of the 80's and 90's. This simple touching story about a young girl (Emily) who goes to play with her Granpa (recently departed Ustinov) is animated using colour pencils, and is musically scripted by Howard Blake.

The combination of the fluid animation, wonderful movement of the "camera" and the beautiful musical score makes for one of the best british releases of the 80's. Well worth a watch, and it is available for purchase online.

Also worth a look, is the musical score by Howard Blake, which can be purchased in a beautiful book from his official site at chester novello, and the single for the ending credits, sung by Sarah Brightman.