User reviews

Very few films aspire to the heights (or, more accurately, depths) of chirpy cheesiness achieved by Mamma Mia!: a cinematic guilty pleasure if ever there was one. Walking On Sunshine is that rare film which does. In fact, it's dancing merrily into theatres, so intent on recreating the unexpected blockbuster success of Mamma Mia! that it's forgotten to tweak the formula even a little bit. And so, we go from the sun-washed beaches of Greece to the sun-washed beaches of Italy, from cheesy but super-catchy ABBA tunes to cheesy but super-catchy 80s pop hits, from an awkward love affair to... an awkward love affair. Do you see where we're going here? The unfortunate thing is that Walking On Sunshine never quite hits on that elusive magic which allowed Mamma Mia! to be so bad and so darn good at the same time.

Here's how the story (what little there is of it) goes: Taylor (Hannah Arterton) meets and falls in love with gorgeous Italian hunk Raf (Giulio Berruti) on a sun-kissed beach in Italy. But the summer is drawing to an end, and she has to be responsible and go back to school. Three years later, when she finally graduates, Taylor returns to the same Italian village to meet her headstrong, impulsive sister Maddie (Annabel Scholey) - whereupon she learns that Maddie, on the rebound from her horrible ex Doug (Greg Wise), is due to get married in a matter of days. The twist in the tale, of course, is that Maddie is planning to marry Raf - the love of Taylor's life.

In other words, the plot, such as it is, is flimsy and contrived. The narrative staggers predictably from song to song, whether it's Taylor and Raf realising they still have feelings for each other (It Must Have Been Love), or Doug and Maddie crooning about their toxic relationship (Don't You Want Me). The characters seem to function on the basis of narrative expediency: Doug, for instance, waltzes in and out of the film, teetering dangerously between unforgivable jerk and viable love interest. Truth be told, if you're looking for depth or complexity, look away now. The film seems to operate on the blithe assumption that yet another karaoke-friendly song will sweep away the awkward writing that preceded it.

The film also falters somewhat where its cast is concerned. All of them are earnest to a fault, belting their numbers with more passion than skill. They certainly work incredibly hard at playing characters with little more complexity than a batch of paper dolls: Arterton is the textbook lovelorn but responsible girl, torn between her head and her heart, while Scholey sizzles efficiently as the bubbly Maddie. But they never really manage to give off the sheer, unmitigated joy that practically radiated from the A-list cast populating the Greek islands in Mamma Mia!. Of the supporting cast, comedienne Katy Brand wins most charismatic honours as the sisters' best friend Lil - not something that can be said of X-Factor winner Leona Lewis, who should really stick to her day job.

To be fair, Walking On Sunshine does have its merits. If you're in the right mood for it, it's a silly, summery burst of fun - not quite as funny and sweet as you might want, but good enough in a pinch. Its soundtrack is great, jumping from Madonna (Holiday) to George Michael (Faith), before taking a delightful detour into tomato-strewn mayhem in the huge musical number that accompanies the title song. There are even a couple of unexpectedly rich character moments that come courtesy of the two sisters: Taylor's bravery in returning for Maddie's wedding is a surprisingly emotional moment and one of the high points of the film.

Of course, when it comes down to it, no amount of critical analysis will matter anyway. Walking On Sunshine is, quite simply, the kind of film that's largely critic-proof. It may not even be as good as Mamma Mia!, and its story and characters are almost wilfully poorly-constructed. But it won't matter because the film is also relentlessly fun, silly, sunny, and cheesy. Berruti is gorgeous to look at, as are the sun-kissed beaches of Italy. The songs are catchy, summery and joyous. That certainly doesn't add up to 'great' but, if you're open to it, it just might add up to 'good enough'.

Well, that's because it's the only musical movie of the summer.

They wanted to make a movie for the female gender, so if you're a male and you're forced to see this you better relax your butt and let it happen. The girls want to watch this to see Giulio Berruti, because he is handsome as ****. I'm a guy, 100% heterosexual, but if you deny that this man belongs to the top of our class, you are lying.

The acting is average. Every character looks like he is living in a fairy tale, so everyone is happy and starts singing at random and sometimes inappropriate moments. You notice that every actor in this movie is enjoying their work. They act playful and enthusiastic, so you can't help yourself smiling sometimes. The dark side of this acting style is that you don't take the more emotional moments very seriously. It's a happy-family-summer-musical-movie after all, so everything is going to be be okay. Oh yeah, the jokes are horrible though.

The movie itself is not that bad. I would call it a budget version of Mama Mia!, because the A-list actors were the main reason people wanted to see that. There's one location, one annoying girl and at the end a wedding with a 'twist' that won't surprise anyone.

It's extremely cheesy, but if you fancy a brainless movie night, this is not the worst choice you can make. Don't see it in theaters though, unless you want so see Berruti's abs in widescreen-size, and don't forget the alcohol so you can suddenly sing along with everything.

The familiar story of a British girl going on a holiday in the Mediterranean and getting involved with a local boy. Once the summer's over so is the romance.

Three years later her sister is to marry that boy, so what is she to do?

The story unfolds in the background of beautiful seaside, nice old buildings and of course lots of songs from the 1980's. One needs not read too much into the story as there are few issues, especially with the ease which the main characters use the word 'love' as well as the speed at which they are prepared to marry...or not!

Ultimately, this is nothing more than a summer flick and will provide for a fairly pleasant 90 minutes.

What everyone has failed to mention is how terrible the singing is in this movie. It is obviously an attempt to do another Mama Mia. When you have Meryl Streep and Colin Firth etc singing with average vocals you can accept it because it's big stars on screen. When you use unknowns who can't sing it does not work.

I watched this because of the 80s music only to see the songs murdered on screen. At least get unknowns with singing ability to do justice to the music. They had Leona Lewis acting in here and she sang about three lines, what a waste.The story is your standard rom com boy meets girl, girl leaves boy etc. don't waste your time. If the singing was at least listenable it might have been worth a fluffy afternoon distraction.

While this movie panders to all the clichés of 'a chicks night in musical' that's also what makes it good. Viewing it on a wet afternoon in summer with no holiday in sight it just made me happy and I left the cinema smiling and singing the songs from my youth. How many movies can you say that about these days. It was cleverly thought out, the dancing and staging was fun, the leads were appealing, the hot boys were hot. Downside was that the girl playing Maddy was hopelessly over the top as was Greg Wise,, but this was a pantomime musical generated for a few drinks and a hen night in the summer. Where as MamaMia was trying to convince (and never did) the bad acting, singing and dancing have at least been rectified here and you are laughing along for the right reasons. It works in most part from a lovely lead performance from Hannah Arterton proving she's a MUCH better actress than her over exposed sister (Gemma).. In the cold light of day this movie makes you feel like you've had a romance on holiday , fallen in love and then you go home, whether you re-visit will be up to you.. I will.

Pretty much what I expected - a just reading the trailer with a bit of common sense tells you all about the film and you can work the rest out with little effort! Music was OK - storyline totally predictable, acting pretty rubbish. Not my usual sort of film but went in a group. If you liked Mamma Mia you will probably enjoy this, but definitely not my cup of tea! Good bits were the scenic vistas (does make you want to visit) and the Italian eye candy for the ladies. Definitely not a 'deep and meaningful' film and when they launched into song at the drop of a hat, it got quite amusing (though I am not sure that was the intention). What I would call a fluffy film - no substance to it but I didn't fall asleep and I did tap my feet a few times!

Taylor fell in love with hottie Raf while on holiday in Puglia, Italy but, despite his entreaties to stay, she left to go to university. On graduating three years later, she returns to Puglia to holiday with her sister Maddie who is already there (they had decided on Puglia because it meant to much to Taylor). Maddie, who has a history of relationships with unsatisfactory men, announces that she has had a whirlwind engagement and is about to get married in two days. No surprises for guessing who the lucky fellow is...

So, let me see - a British film with a frothy story involving family relationships, secrets, romance, deceit, love, and squealy young women, in a sunny Mediterranean setting, with the plot advanced by way of the cast bursting into 30-year old pop songs at regular intervals. Walking On Sunshine isn't even a blood relation of Mamma Mia!, but it has definitely sneaked into its wardrobe, nicked its shorts, T-shirt and sandals, and put them on to make you think it is. Which gives two grounds on which to consider it - on its own merits, and by comparison to MM!.

On its own merits, it is amiable enough. The good points are that it is bright, colourful, cheerful and tuneful, and the two sisters (Hannah Arterton - younger sister of Gemma - as Taylor, and Annabel Scholey as Maddie) are both attractive and likable performers. The bad points are that it is completely predictable, the dance routines are pretty obvious (even as a non-dancer I can spot that they are not especially challenging) the cast includes two funny fat people (despite giving good performances, they are included solely for the sake of being funny fat people which, as a not particularly funny fat person, I object to), and the hot Italian blokes are indentikit and interchangeable (I accept that those who are fans of the male sixpack may feel differently).

And, compared with Mamma Mia!, it fares worse, for three main reasons. One, its following of the MM! template is absolutely transparent, from the squealy reunion at the start to the dramatic and heart-rending showstopper towards the end. Two, the selection of 80s hits doesn't have the emotional heft of a soundtrack selected entirely from the Abba catalogue. And third, and most importantly, it doesn't have a cast who bring the commitment and credibility to the froth in the way that Meryl Streep and co. did. Walking On Sunshine features a bunch of attractive 20-somethings (and one louche old lothario) who don't appear to work or have a single worry other than romantic ones: contrast Streep and the three Dads, all of whom were grounded in the real world.

If you didn't like Mamma Mia!, you aren't likely to enjoy this. If you did - well, like I said, it's sunny, cheerful and tuneful, so you may. And if you didn't see Mamma Mia! - then I guess it depends on why you didn't.

I'm not sure if this isn't too sweet even for hopeless romantics ... or that a lot of people who watched this were cynics. Now the songs used here, all have a history and are really good. Most of them even fit into the situation they are used. At least the title of the songs do. But "telling" a story (actually singing it) with lyrics that don't always fit the situation 100% is a bit of a stretch.

Or you don't care at all. As you shouldn't with the predictable outcome of the movie. But that shouldn't be the issue, other movies "struggle" with that too. If you don't care about clichés and just want to listen to the songs, have at it. Rock of Ages was way better and funnier, but you have to have nuances in movies I guess

I guess most people have not even heard of this musical movie. It is similar to Mama Mia without the big stars, and with pop 80's song instead of just ABBA. People from my age group will recognize all the songs. The interesting thing is this movie has a character similar to Pierce Brosnan in Mama Mia. Can you recall his singing talent? I found it fun to guess and recognize all the songs. However, the dance choreography is quite standard without much wow effect. The acting of some makes you feel like watching high school musical. Overall, I enjoyed watching it but not too many repeat in the future, which is rare for a musical movie.

30 June 2014 Film of Choice at The Plaza Tonight - Walking on Sunshine. To quote my friend Debbie that was "cheesier than Camembert"........but oh my word I LOVED IT. Definitely inspired by Mamma Mia but much brasher, it was a toe tapping journey back to the 80s with a soundtrack I wanted to get up and dance in the aisles to (certainly a Fame moment or two). Once again I think I am bucking the trend by liking what others have put down but I had a smile on my face throughout the whole film. If you're a child of the 80s put down whatever you're doing and get yourself a seat in front of the big screen and prepare to lighten your heart. Great!!!!!

Don't take it too seriously but it's not a bad movie. I pretty much love anything with romance at the core, so I probably liked this more than most. Don't love musicals per se, but thought the musical choices were great. It seemed like the actors were actually singing which was impressive. Either great editing or they can all sing well enough.The main thing that I enjoyed is that the actors are clearly having a BLAST making this movie, especially that last dance scene, and that's infectious. Couldn't help but smile along with them. It's a fun lighthearted movie that of course is geared towards those that like romantic movies, no matter how 'lightweight'. I was entertained.

Bad girl Maddie is just about to wed hunky Italian Raf, and goody-two-shoes sister Taylor flies in, just to discover Raf, incidentally, is her holiday fling from three years ago and, even more incidentally, the love of her life. This is the ridiculous premise of this feel-good musical film which is also a blatant Mamma Mia rip off. The wedding, the songs, the locations, it is impossible not to see the link between the two movies.

Flawed as Mamma Mia was, at least it could rely on heavyweight actors like Meryl Streep, Colin Firth and Pierce Brosnan. The cast of this movie is nowhere near as good , and what the movie lacks in the embarrassingly simple plot, it fails to make up with chemistry and charm.

This paper-thin feel-good movie no doubt hopes to cash in on its many similarities with worldwide hit movie Mamma Mia, and both movies basically works as advertisements for holidays in Italy, showcasing breathtakingly beautiful settings.

All in all, the movie is not without its little charms and the 80s soundtrack surely appeals to many, so for an evening of feel-good fun this might just work for you, just don't expect any form of depth, thoughtfulness, cultural weight or lasting memories. I'm pretty sure you will have forgotten all about this movie in a couple of months.

It started with an appalling "musical" opening score with "dancing"and"singing" that most primary school pantomimes would be embarrassed by.

I thought, ok, perhaps it was a one off....

But no!!!

OMG, what talentless, cacophonic bunch of claptrap!

Don't bother!!

FUN, FUN, FUN!!! This whimsical, musical rom-com has an adorable (and hot) cast, great music from the 80's and lots of cheesy giggles. It may not have the A-list cast, but If you enjoyed 'Mama Mia' you'll like this. Some people dis the singing, and although it wasn't Grammy award winning, it was just fine for this kind of venue. (some of Mama Mia's vocals were worse, lol) It's more about the energy, dancing, and playfulness during the song numbers. Like when you and your friends burst out singing to the radio. With beautiful Italy for the backdrop and lots of fun costumes, this is a predictable but vibrant, enjoyable, summer chick-flick. For all the great songs and warm fuzzy feelings, this gets 7stars in My Humble Opinion. (2017 second time I've watched it)

All concerned should hang their heads in shame and embrace deaths cold finial grasp knowing they deserve to die. Truly that bad.

Typical love story but it's fun because of all the great music!!

This film is hopelessly twee, predictable, soul destroying and awful. Admittedly I don't like musicals making me biased but even by the those standards this film is painful to watch.

That said if you disconnect your brain and just want to watch something quite happy this film might be for you. The singing is OK the actors annoying but I suppose they are doing their job to the best of their abilities.

This film is exactly what it appears though, personally I am only watching it because my girlfriend is insisting and I find it cathartic to publish my thoughts on this mind numbingly bad experience..

Makes me weep for the species.

Walking on Sunshine. Summer and the beach. A film that showed all the beauty of Italian (probably Italian) beaches, streets and panoramic views. Good, even excellent music of the 80s, but it was not always performed beautifully. The plot of the film itself is pretty good, although it tries to make it a little confusing (she loves him, he loves that one, and she loves that one). But I really liked the dance performances, especially the mass ones, and especially the one with tomatoes on the narrow streets. The actors themselves are chosen perfectly and show the game at the highest possible level for this film. Especially liked the cutie, Annabel Scholey.

I've just seen this movie and sadly I must say it failed to impress. The movie tried to copy Mammia Mia: songs throughout the movie, a wedding. Or maybe that's too much to say, it was more of a Glee-ish movie, with Bollywood influences. The storyline is very poor, but that was to be expected. You know how to story is going to unfold just by watching the trailer. What's worse is that most of the actors didn't seem to have chemistry with one another. Compared to Mammia Mia (it's almost impossible not to compare the two), it was kind of bad. In Mamma Mia at least the song choices where chosen right and they fit in the storyline. In Walking On Sunshine the song choices and moments weren't always chosen right. Most of the time those moments were awkward and out of place. I gave 4 stars, because of the O.K. acting (by some actors) and because the singing sounded good.

Really can't believe this one is so underrated. I lived the 80s and for sure i was expecting some weird covers but hey, while i was singing along and ignoring the actual story of the movie, acting was really decent and the singing is actually amazing from all the actors. Give it a break guys, can't do nothing about you being borne in the 2000s. Mamma Mia was good, yes, but this one is quite brilliant also, even more when they offer a less known cast. My 7 year old daughter loved it all, from beginning to the end, she danced along, sang along, and even asked me why she have never seen this songs on TV... well, had to show her on youtube and she loved them all. Great songs, great performances, brilliant singing. 10 out of 10 as i loved it and my kid also.

Clearly made by Vertigo Films to cash in on the success of Mamma Mia! (2008) this is a light frothy confection of 80's pop hits that has a sumptuous look and stereotypical characters as our tanned and attractive cast holiday in the beautiful coastal town of Puglia, Italy looking for romance.

There's a paper thin story concerning Maddie having a whirlwind romance with an Italian heart throb Raf who plan to marry, so she invites her sister Taylor to the wedding but it turns out that Raf is her sister's holiday romance from 3 years before. This is where the awkward fun begins in a tale of broken hearts and feel good moments predictably sewn together by familiar songs and cheesy dance routines.

It may be a shameless rip-off of Mamma Mia but for the most part it works, although the story does feel like it's shoehorning the songs in to make them fit. It's innocent, innocuous entertainment that wants to be liked but with a more starry cast it could have been made much more appealing.