featherstone-758-470869
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Reviews7
featherstone-758-470869's rating
I had such high expectations when sitting down to watch this film being a self-confessed 'Denchphile' and fan of genuine, honest British film. However, sadly I found myself underwhelmed by a lacklustre display despite the casting of some British acting heavyweights.
First of all, the positive. Naturally, being an admirer of the Dame, Judy was the stand-out of this film insofar as without her casting, I feel this film would have barely poked its head above the water. Although not the 'brilliant' performance the reviewers promised on the DVD cover, especially when compared to recent Dench performances in the likes of 'Notes on a Scandal' and 'Ladies in Lavender', she nevertheless delivered a heart-warming show which allowed for smiles and titters. Be prepared for witty lines and examples of the classic British humour we expect in down-to-earth British cinema but don't expect any real 'laugh out loud' moments. What is charming is the music, costume, and feel of the film alluding to its musical theme. In this respect, the film succeeds in entertaining on stage, however it is the 'back-stage' story which really lets it down.
Despite a positive start, setting the scene after Mr. Henderson's death and humorously showing how Mrs. Henderson acquired the Windmill theatre and Van Damm, the story soon gets all messed up, the pace and humour disappear and we're left waiting for it to end. Even the onset of the war and uncertainty about the future of the theatre fail to stir any real emotion. When main characters face atrocities, I fail to be moved towards sympathy because each of the characters is too shallow to really feel anything for, even Mrs. Henderson herself (the deepest of the lot). When the film reaches its climax (with Mrs. Henderson revealing her motives for pursuing her dream), the reason fails to convince, even though it should. Its difficult to pin-point what the missing ingredients are although the lack of character development and depth is the most obvious one. Aside from that the subplots fail to add any real value to the film and fail to prop up the weak narrative. Oh and Will Young gets a bit irritating by the end, mainly because we actually never really know who he is despite his high billing.
All in all, this film gets 6/10 from me mainly for Dench's performance, its musical and aesthetic quality portrayed through the costume, song and dance. In other words the stage scenes, brief moments of Dench humour and charm. However, it fails to hit the spot because it doesn't make us care about the theatre, her motives, the characters or anything really. In the end we are just a bored audience sitting through a smiley but flawed musical stripper show which even Judy Dench could not save.
First of all, the positive. Naturally, being an admirer of the Dame, Judy was the stand-out of this film insofar as without her casting, I feel this film would have barely poked its head above the water. Although not the 'brilliant' performance the reviewers promised on the DVD cover, especially when compared to recent Dench performances in the likes of 'Notes on a Scandal' and 'Ladies in Lavender', she nevertheless delivered a heart-warming show which allowed for smiles and titters. Be prepared for witty lines and examples of the classic British humour we expect in down-to-earth British cinema but don't expect any real 'laugh out loud' moments. What is charming is the music, costume, and feel of the film alluding to its musical theme. In this respect, the film succeeds in entertaining on stage, however it is the 'back-stage' story which really lets it down.
Despite a positive start, setting the scene after Mr. Henderson's death and humorously showing how Mrs. Henderson acquired the Windmill theatre and Van Damm, the story soon gets all messed up, the pace and humour disappear and we're left waiting for it to end. Even the onset of the war and uncertainty about the future of the theatre fail to stir any real emotion. When main characters face atrocities, I fail to be moved towards sympathy because each of the characters is too shallow to really feel anything for, even Mrs. Henderson herself (the deepest of the lot). When the film reaches its climax (with Mrs. Henderson revealing her motives for pursuing her dream), the reason fails to convince, even though it should. Its difficult to pin-point what the missing ingredients are although the lack of character development and depth is the most obvious one. Aside from that the subplots fail to add any real value to the film and fail to prop up the weak narrative. Oh and Will Young gets a bit irritating by the end, mainly because we actually never really know who he is despite his high billing.
All in all, this film gets 6/10 from me mainly for Dench's performance, its musical and aesthetic quality portrayed through the costume, song and dance. In other words the stage scenes, brief moments of Dench humour and charm. However, it fails to hit the spot because it doesn't make us care about the theatre, her motives, the characters or anything really. In the end we are just a bored audience sitting through a smiley but flawed musical stripper show which even Judy Dench could not save.
Short, compact, yet rich with satisfaction: this film encompassing some beautiful moments to take with you and treasure. Shot in black & white, this film scores for being simple, yet moving, deep and unique.
In a world of blockbusters and 2 hour feature films, this short, simple indie film came as a welcome relief. It was 'bite-sized' if you can attribute that phrase. In other words digestible: it had a pleasantly warming message of friendship and the beauty of human emotions. Therefore perfect to consume on a quiet sunny afternoon.
By not being too long, this film does not loose out in being concise, it feels like every short scene is of real value to the story. This creates a pleasant pace and means the audience is kept enticed and captivated. Interwoven in this storyline and despite its brief nature, Meadows is still able to weave in thought-provoking shots and sequences to really underline the nature of social study.
Overall it is indeed a little gem, not to be left to gather dust on the shelf. Its one of those movies you could watch on a typical afternoon in the house to give you a satisfying feeling of wholeness.
Very impressive: 83/100
In a world of blockbusters and 2 hour feature films, this short, simple indie film came as a welcome relief. It was 'bite-sized' if you can attribute that phrase. In other words digestible: it had a pleasantly warming message of friendship and the beauty of human emotions. Therefore perfect to consume on a quiet sunny afternoon.
By not being too long, this film does not loose out in being concise, it feels like every short scene is of real value to the story. This creates a pleasant pace and means the audience is kept enticed and captivated. Interwoven in this storyline and despite its brief nature, Meadows is still able to weave in thought-provoking shots and sequences to really underline the nature of social study.
Overall it is indeed a little gem, not to be left to gather dust on the shelf. Its one of those movies you could watch on a typical afternoon in the house to give you a satisfying feeling of wholeness.
Very impressive: 83/100
I'm going to start by being honest with you. This film leapt at me from the shelves due to its title, as it would to most adolescent males. However if you're reading this expecting this to be some kind of vulgar comedy porno, then don't worry because its not, its far from it.
The concept of this film is beautiful, focusing on seven different couples engaged in seven contrasting forms of relationships. The setting is Hampstead Heath park in North London, with the whole story being focused on one day in this location. The storyline is not complex, nor is it particularly special. Don't expect any gargantuan revelations, but rather wait for some pleasant twists to make you smile. What this film may lack in depth, it certainly makes up for in charm.
I think its important to remember that this film is more of a short, quirky study of relationships, to be taken seriously and not so seriously simultaneously. It contains a star- studded cast containing Ewan McGregor (Trainspotting), Andrew Lincoln (Love Actually) and Eilleen Atkins (Cranford) amongst others. The performances range in quality, although none of the cast members really get enough time to really develop their characters (which is what makes this film so interesting).
My main criticism of this film is that I think seven couples is arguably too many, with me thinking that only 5 of the couples are really significant to the plot. This would've given the film makers a few extra minutes per couple to develop their characters a little more. Overall however, this film impresses. It couldn't really score higher due its lack of depth, but its quirky charm and heart- warming glow is its redeeming factor.
74/100
The concept of this film is beautiful, focusing on seven different couples engaged in seven contrasting forms of relationships. The setting is Hampstead Heath park in North London, with the whole story being focused on one day in this location. The storyline is not complex, nor is it particularly special. Don't expect any gargantuan revelations, but rather wait for some pleasant twists to make you smile. What this film may lack in depth, it certainly makes up for in charm.
I think its important to remember that this film is more of a short, quirky study of relationships, to be taken seriously and not so seriously simultaneously. It contains a star- studded cast containing Ewan McGregor (Trainspotting), Andrew Lincoln (Love Actually) and Eilleen Atkins (Cranford) amongst others. The performances range in quality, although none of the cast members really get enough time to really develop their characters (which is what makes this film so interesting).
My main criticism of this film is that I think seven couples is arguably too many, with me thinking that only 5 of the couples are really significant to the plot. This would've given the film makers a few extra minutes per couple to develop their characters a little more. Overall however, this film impresses. It couldn't really score higher due its lack of depth, but its quirky charm and heart- warming glow is its redeeming factor.
74/100