A Major Disappointment

Although it has its amusing moments, in eneral the plot does not convince.

Pretty good movie overall. First half was nothing special but it got better as it went along.

Funny, strange, confrontational and subversive, this is one of the most interesting experiences you'll have at the cinema this year.

This is a superb romantic film strewn throughout with light touches of delightful and eccentric comedy. It was directed by Tim Fywell, one of Britain's finest directors, and is adapted from a novel by Dodie Smith. The lead role is played by Romola Garai, then aged 18, and she is utterly charming and, dare I say, thoroughly spell-binding. Despite her youth, she had already been acting in films for three years, so she had mastered the art of relating to the camera already. The film works like absolute magic. Bill Nighy as Garai's eccentric father is kept well under control so that he does not overact or over-tic, and he therefore carries off his key role superbly. Garai's even more eccentric mother is played by Tara Fitzgerald, and she too is just right for the apart. After all, she has never been 'as others are', as I learned when she was 14 and we won at hockey on the Harris's lightly snow-dusted tennis court one Christmas. That was before she ever acted, except in real life of course! She has lent her magic to many a fine film and TV series, and will doubtless continue to do so with her special touch. See her in THE ENGLISHMAN WHO WENT UP A HILL BUT CAME DOWN A MOUNTAIN (1995, see my review), ANGLO-SAXON ATTITUDES (1992, see my review), and THE CAMOMILE LAWN (1991, see my review) for three of her very best roles (of her 48 credits). This film of an impoverished Bohemian artistic family who live in a rented castle, wondering how they can pay the rent or even eat their next meal, exudes charm from every sprocket-hole, and treats love romantically, rather than as an occasion merely for grunting and rutting on screen, and that is so unusual these days. Anyone who wants to be delightfully entertained need look no further for a congenial DVD than this.

A more modern Jane Austen type story of sisters without money and finding love. The countryside setting is charming and it is beautifully filmed.The acting is good. The casting is good. Rose Byrne is pretty. Romola Garai acts well for a difficult complex role. The other supporting cast are good too. Sinead Cusack is an odd choice for an American. Henry Thomas looks a bit puffy. The ending is more modern than Jane Austen in that it is not one of those typical feel good endings but it is slightly sad for the same reason. It is about realistic love not fairytale love.This is worth watching for an unusual story and . Just a bit depressing at the end. The nudity was not necessary for the movie if they had left it out more people might have been able to see this movie.

After reading the novel, I am usually disappointed by the screenplay, but not in this case.The story is preserved and is magical in this film. Romola Garai is brilliant as the young Cassandra, but all of the characters are strongly played.The soundtrack is fitting, and the settings work well. The characters traits develop smoothly and interact believably. This, to me is proof that with a great storyteller/writer, cast and director, time and care; something true to itself can be produced.I just wish there were more films made to this standard.

Stephen is indeed a beautiful guy. The casting director did a good job to find all those people. I have not read the novel, however, i think that this movie is well done.There is one thing that I did not think that it is possible. It is when the little boy starts to talking how the young girl who is about to get married does not talk about her future husband all the time at all. And it also did make sense, why did the girl wrote him a list of things that she is getting. And what little boy knows anything about adult life.the movie is well shot, the color was right and romantic. I especially when the girl walked in the forest with Stephen, it seems to be a place that has never been touched by human steps. it might be more beautiful if it was shot during a froggy day.The ending was not too surprising. it is a little formulated, not unexpected. Love will always be the forever topic in films.