Cast: David Tennant, Rosamund Pike, Billy Connolly, Ben Miller and Amelia Bullmore
Rated: PG 95 Minutes
Doug and Abi are putting aside (kind of) their disintegrated marriage to
travel with their three kids to the Scottish Highlands for Doug’s ailing father
Gordy’s 75th birthday. Firstly they (that is Doug)are driving all
the way from (I think) London which spells disaster, Doug and Abi can barely
speak to each other without arguing and the kids are onto them, particularly
the oldest, Lottie, who even documents things said so she knows what lies are sanctioned
and which she mustn’t tell.
This delightful film is from Andy Hamilton and Guy Jenkins
the people behind the BBC series 'Outnumbered', a series which I found mildly amusing but often just a bit too much, wise cracking kids, feeble parents ho hum. The conceit of the series was that much of it was improvised, particularly the childrens’ roles. This then has been carried over into the film and I think it is much more convincing and satisfying. Some scripting, a few lines that had to be included but otherwise kids go for it and the grown ups had to work around it with their scripts. I tell ya, these kids are brilliant.Those said kids are Emilia Jones (Lottie), Bobby Smalldridge (Mickey) and Harriett Turnbull (Jess) and each is equally impressive and each gets their chance to shine on their own as well as part of the ensemble. There are amazing scenes of great assurance and depth that the three carry off impeccably.
Billy Connolly shines as Gordy. The character itself is irascible
but it’s very much the scenes with the kids that bring out the best in the
character and in Billy. He’s not grandad entertaining the little ones, he’s either
one of the kids, albeit a wise one, or he’s relating to some slightly shorter
fellow 75 year olds. It’s a lovely characterisation and adds to the poignancy
of some scenes. Isn’t he a good actor?
The key roles of the warring parents are played beautifully
by David Tennant and the almost ubiquitous Rosamund Pike. I liked her somewhat
more in ‘Gone Girl’ but she is fine enough and Tennant is perfect.
Arriving in Scotland we are introduced to Doug’s alpha male,
social-climbing brother Doug (Ben Miller) and his depressed, anxious and somewhat put-upon (or is that
put-down) wife Margaret (Amelia Bullmore). I loved the scene where the kids try
to find out what ‘exactly’ it is that Uncle Gavin does for a living. A smaller
but no less impressive role is that of Gavin’s son Kenneth delightfully played
by Lewis Davie and Celia Imrie grabs the scenes she appears in as the baddie
Agnes.
Oh goodness I laughed a lot in this film and boy did I have
a good cry too. It's funny and very, very black, don't be looking for 'Marigold Hotel' here folks. It’s a modest and tight film which could have been a sickly, cloying
bit of tosh showing off some clever writing. Rather it’s an accomplished and
sharp, sincere film that is genuinely charming. It tells us about the falls a lie will cause
us, the love that can arise from the most harsh of circumstances and how
answers are always somewhere and often from the most unexpected source. Most of
all the message of Gordy's that judging other’s actions is a waste of time.
There are some technical flaws, it’s not all that smooth or
slick, it seems a bit incomplete at times and a bit under lit I thought. And yet
as I said it is quite tight when it hits its marks and all the acting carries
it along riding the few bumps.
Grab a few tissues, be prepared to laugh out loud and enjoy
the ride. You might just want to add Scotland to your next European adventure.3 ½ out of 5
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