Touches You

This is a small, humorous movie in some ways, but it has a huge heart. What a nice experience.

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

I heard about this film mainly because it is set to the songs of Scottish folk-pop duo The Proclaimers, based on the hit stage play, it was rated well by critics, so I hoped for something good, from Scotland BAFTA nominated actor-turned-director Dexter Fletcher (Eddie the Eagle). Basically recently discharged British Army servicemen Davy Henshaw (George MacKay) and Ally (Kevin Guthrie) have returned home to their families in Edinburgh after a tour in Afghanistan ("I'm on my Way"). On the of Davy and Ally's first night home, Ally's girlfriend Liz (Scotland BAFTA nominated Freya Mavor), Davy's sister and a nurse, introduces Davy to her English friend and colleague Yvonne (Antonia Thomas), and the girls take part in the Scottish tradition of drunken storytelling ("Over and Done With"). Davy and Yvonne have a blind date and strike up a romantic relationship ("Misty Blue"), while Ally and Liz consider the potential of their future as a married couple ("Make my Heart Fly"). Davy's father Robert "Rab" Henshaw (Scotland BAFTA nominated Peter Mullan) receives a letter from Eilidh (Sara Vickers), a daughter he didn't know he had, they later meet, she is the result of an affair, the mother has just died, and he secretly attends the funeral. Ally tells Davy he intends to propose to Liz during the 25th wedding anniversary party for Davy's parents Rab and Jean (Scotland BAFTA nominated Jane Horrocks), a bartender overhears the conversation and offers Ally advice on how to propose ("Let's Get Married"). At the anniversary party Rab serenades Jean ("Oh Jean"), during the party, Jean discovers Rab's letter and is outraged at Rab's infidelity, Ally then proposes to Liz, but she turns him down, a mass brawl develops, Yvonne is horrified at Davy's aggression. Jean is horrified that Rab intends to keep seeing his newly found daughter, Jean sends him to Coventry and he sleeps on a sofa, Jean eventually feels guilty and blames herself for her family falling apart, but her colleagues at the Scottish National Gallery reassure her that it is not her fault ("Should Have Been Loved"). Meanwhile Rab plans a special meal to make up with Jean, but he suffers a heart attack and is taken to hospital, he recovers, he and Jean reconcile ("Sunshine on Leith"), Jean agrees to let Rab see his daughter and brought her see to the hospital to see him. Yvonne and Davy have reconciled ("Then I Met You"), however Liz and Ally's relationship has dissolved, Ally decides to re-enlist in the army, while Liz accepts an offer of a job nursing in Florida ("Letter from America"). Davy and Yvonne have an argument, she prepares to leave Edinburgh, but before she can reach Waverley railway station, Davy catches her and declares his commitment to her in Princes Street Gardens. They reconcile again ("I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)"), Jean and Rab sing verses, and Ally on patrol also sings, Liz is seen at work opening a letter from Ally, it is a fairly happy ending. Also starring Jason Flemyng as Harry Harper, Emily-Jane Boyle as Christine, Paul Brannigan as Ronnie, Dexter Fletcher as Drunk Outside Pub and The Proclaimers (twin brothers Charlie and Craig Reid) as Twins Leaving Pub. The film adopts a very similar style to the Mamma Mia! Formula, the cast are chosen well, in particular Horrocks and Mullan, it is a simple story of relationships rekindled and troubled, it blends the dramatic and fun moments well, and the songs do make more interesting, "Letter from America" and "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)" are the highlights, all together it is a likeable musical drama. It was nominated the Scotland BAFTA for Best Feature Film. Good!

I love this film can't stop watching it, also can't stop singing the songs in my head the acting is first class the music too, the story along the way is touching, get the hankies out its got everything you want in a movie it makes you laugh it makes you sad and above all it makes you happy in one word 'Wonderful' it's best to see it 2-3 times to see what you missed the first time! I have watched about 20 times now and counting!! Jane Horrocks gives a marvellous performance as Jean and Peter Mullan was superb but all the cast were fantastic too it's a pity there aren't more films of a similar nature to this instead of all these 'Super Heroes' film noir. The Director Dexter Fletcher who is also an actor needs commending and I will be following him on what he does in the future either acting or directing his latest film being Eddie the Eagle! 10/10

You know the expression "white people can't dance" – well at least not since Gene Kelly and Fred Astaire. This film is definite proof of that. Dancing is not waving your hands in the air. All the dance scenes look the same – similar to a you-tube flash-mob. Choreography not required.And the singing is worse.Aside from a few comic scenes during the dance hall – this is cloying and predictable – and Boring (capital "B" intended). The characters are un-engaging. It looked at times like a Scottish tourist brochure.Overall this approaches the banal. A musical must have a sense of vitality and an energy force - this was sadly lacking.

I should hate this. I thought I would. Take a band whose music is real. A band who don't do poxy love songs. Who do great Scottish songs of independence. A band I admit to loving. Now you try to shoehorn their songs into a musical. It is going to suck. Isn't it?Actually no. No need to critique whats wrong with this movie. Everything is. It sucks. Its terrible.I loved every minute. Its not Momma Mia (thank God) Its not Easy Rider. But it is a really enjoyable movie. Loads of fun. Bright, lively and well worth a watch. This is the perfect date movie. If you, like me, don't like chick flicks. If its too early to watch "The unbearable lightness of being". Then this is a great option. It's just good fun.