datkins-3 Reviews

The Booze Cruise (2003 TV Movie)

delightful surprise!

[10/10 · 7 September 2003]

What a delightful surprise. I hadn't thought I would watch this, expecting another example of of bad behaviour, foul language and drunkeness.

But nothing of the sort. Instead an excellent drama, full of comedy that made me laugh out loud (and that doesn't often happen these days). Brilliant. 10 out of 10. We need more dramas like this.

It was well written with great acting and good direction and editing. The fun was original and kept me riveted, wondering what was going to happen next. The upsets were not driven into pathos and left you feeling that all's well that ends well. More like this please (and an early repeat showing too).

The Goodbye Girl (1977)

My favourite film

[10/10 · 11 May 2003]

My favourite film of all time. Despite its academy awards at the time it remains largely unknown now which is sad. It makes you laugh, it makes you cry, it makes you feel good. What more can you expect from a movie?

Perfect Strangers (2001– )

Much anticipated; much disappointment

[3/10 · 25 May 2001]

I so looked forward to seeing this. I even bought an advance copy of the video. After "Shooting The Past" I expected another masterpiece and was eager to watch it. I was so disappointed. The story line was thin and the revelations were hardly arresting. Even the dialogue was mundane. Often a response to a line was a mere repetition of the previous one.

The characters had no depth and the story was dragged out over the 3 episodes - 4½ hours of meandering nowhere. "Shooting The Past" was a truly fantastic story and production and I have recommended it to many people, but I'm sorry, "Perfect Strangers" is not in the same league at all. Were it not for the beguiling presence of Lindsay Duncan I probably would not have waited till the 3rd episode, desperately hoping for something interesting to happen. On the strength of "Shooting The Past" I shall always watch Poliakoff, but please let the next one be substantial (and I'll forget this one)!

Monarch of the Glen (2000–2005)

Entertaining and engaging

[5 January 2001]

I watched this when it was first screened in early 2000 and eagerly await the new series starting in January 2001. It was a thoroughly engaging series that was fun to watch.

The Scottish castle and backdrop make a pleasant setting and the characters are delightful. I hope it will continue for more series and the excellent cast will re-appear. The story in a way is incidental. There is a place for this sort of drama which is neither heavy nor shallow. It just makes you feel good - quality for a popular audience.

If you have a good script, a good cast and a committed production team, then drama could always be like this. I wish it was. Who needs soaps when you can have the real thing. More please!

A Simple Twist of Fate (1994)

A shabby copy of a brilliant masterpiece of literature

[1/10 · 2 January 2001]

This film is a flagrant rip-off of one of the best novels of all time, Silas Marner by George Eliot.

The details of the film shown on IMDb do give acknowledgement to the original authoress but I did not see this at the beginning of the film, only a credit at the end of it saying "suggested by the book Silas Marner". Suggested? It was nothing but a complete rip- off of all the essential elements of the story:

A wronged and sad old man, an artisan, poor and lonely, has all his money stolen. One night a child wanders up to his door as her mother lies dying in the snow outside. The man takes her in and brings her up until one day the local squire (or rich politician here) demands to adopt the child. It is he who has fathered the child during an illicit affair years before. The battle then ensues as to who should have legal custody of the child.

In this and every other aspect of the film, the story is exactly the same. In only one can I find a difference. Silas Marner had epilepsy - but perhaps that would have strained the acting abilities of Mr Martin too far. On top of that he has his hair dyed in some carrot juice concoction (presumably to make him look younger, but actually making him look more the clown that he is)! There is also the addition of meaningless jokes, that this offbeat comedian cannot resist bringing into the story which have no part in it and only detract from the profoundness of the story. Like when the child cries in the courthouse declaring she can only be happy with the man who has fathered her all these years. This is conveyed in the film by the girl applying nasal decongestant to the bridge of her nose to make her tearful!

I am surprised that legalities and integrity within the film industry permit such a film to be made. If I was a trustee of George Eliot's I would insist on reparation. If I was Steve Martin I would send the profits to that estate, or to the poor. At the very least it should be entitled Silas Marner - adapted by S Martin. Or better still removed from the archives!

If you are interested in this story - and I hope you are - dismiss this completely and watch Silas Marner. Or read the book! The BBC made an excellent adaptation of it in the 1980's.

Seeing Red (2000 TV Movie)

actress witnesses the neglect of a young girl in a care home

[8/10 · 27 December 2000]

Coral Atkins who is an actress in a long running TV series, witnesses the neglect of a young girl in a care home and challenges the matron, who informs her that as professionals they cannot show emotion or get too close to those they look after. Coral's life is changed and she determines to start her own home for "difficult children" where there will be real care and love.

Not with a little difficulty she succeeds in starting such a home despite the authorities trying to keep her out. In this warm and loving environment the children settle and develop, perhaps knowing love for the first time.

Her career is hindered by the time and devotion given to this project and she suffers a breakdown as a consequence. She recovers and continues to give all of herself to these unwanted kids.

It is a true story and tells us of two things: if we are determined enough to do something, we can succeed; secondly, the care profession has become more of a profession and less about care.

Wish Me Luck (1987–1990)

A most engaging story of WW2 resistance

[22 November 2000]

This is a most engaging story of WW2 special agents sent to France. The characters are strong and the drama is well directed. There may be many stories of this kind but this is one of the better ones that keeps you hanging on waiting for the next episode.

Sadly this has not been repeated (to my knowledge) on TV - more's the pity. With the dearth of good drama, and a never-ending diet of soaps and "any old excuse to put the public on TV" it would be good to see this again.

The Goodbye Girl (1977)

Gives you a warm glow

[10/10 · 24 October 2000]

Simply my favourite movie of all time. First saw it with my fiancee (at the time) and it was her favourite also. We saw it 3 times. Whenever it is on TV I watch, and I have two video copies (in case one gets lost or spoiled!).

It stars Richard Dreyfuss at his best, and Marsha Mason and the "kid" are excellent too. Perhaps it is one of the best of films because it is able to make you laugh and cry, and sometimes at the same time. Neil Simon's writing is so comic and never allows the pathos to drown you. I believe it won a number of Oscars when first released yet almost no one I rave to about it has ever heard of it. Strange!

This film is very much under-appreciated. It is a wonderful tale of of family, of career, of relationships and of love. The rooftop scene is just fantastic and leaves a knot in my stomach every time I see it. A warm glow and a feeling of "this is how life should turn out". Great movie, great script. Fantastic.

Daisies in December (1995 TV Movie)

Video please!

[10/10 · 28 August 2000]

An excellent film that was screened on British TV a year or so ago. Joss Ackland and Jean Simmons, two of our great actors, play a very tender and dignified scene of love in later-life.

I wish it was available on video. I want this!

The Gathering (1977 TV Movie)

Touching yet inspirational

[9/10 · 28 August 2000]

It must have been around 1982 when I saw this film on British TV. My recollections are therefore dim of the detail but it moved me very much. A Christmas setting with sad but also happy moments, it shapes a family's trials at a time of year that is sadly not always the happiest for many people.

But do not be put off watching; this is a very good film and makes you think about what happens in families, and what can be made to happen.

Every year I look through the TV listings hoping it will be re-shown. For two years I have been e-mailing the BBC begging them to screen it again. Every month I check the video listings to see if I can buy it. I hope it will come round again.

Shortly after I wrote this several years ago, I managed to get a copy via Marta. Thank you Marta. She now says it's available on DVD via Warner Archive.