And Mrs

Based on the title, graphics and casting, I had expected this to be a Rom Com, but aside from one moment towards the end of the film where people are running through the streets of London with a wedding dress, where it gets very 'Love Actually', it isn't that at all.

It's actually quite dark, looking at love, unconventional love, grief, loss and how to handle it all.

There's a great cast and a really solid story, but it just never knows what it wants to be as a film. There are some cute moments, some really earnest moments and definitely some touching parts of the story.... But it flips back and forth rather confusingly and Gemma's (Aisling Bea) relationship with her friends and family changes on a dime without explanation, almost as though some scenes were lost in the edit.

That being said, it's well worth a watch, just not on a night when you want to watch something light and fluffy.

There is such an abundance of terrible films lately. Either no story to speak of, or an ok idea but executed extremely poorly. Most of them feel like money laundering schemes instead of films.

But every now and then, there is still one that gives me hope, and shows that some people still know how movies should be made.

I enjoyed And Mrs from start to finish, I shed some tears, got angry, and laughed very hard. The story, as simple as it was, kept me engaged, the humour was alive and mostly adorable, and Aisling Bea felt very genuine, carrying the movie with ease.

Was it a perfect movie? Not by a long shot. There's a long list of movies that I love with a passion and think they are better than this one. Not every movie needs to be The Shawshank Redemption or Steel Magnolias. This one, I probably would not watch every weekend, but I sure had fun watching it once, and probably would give it another go some time later.

I hope this film gets the audience and recognition it deserves as an instant classic.

It deals with death and grief but manages to be a genuinely hilarious film all the way through - while never cheapening or avoiding the subject.

When I was a child grieving the loss of my dad, there was a period of time when I felt a stab of guilt for laughing at a joke, as though it was a betrayal of the sadness I felt. Now that I'm older I know that's not right, but I think there is still something 'taboo' about combining the subjects of grief and humour, despite how intertwined they actually are.

Grief creates a sombre background which serves to amplify the absurd. Death is personally shocking, but also everyday and mundane. These contrasts are handled so skilfully in this film.

The star-studded cast? Outstanding - standing ovation to whoever did the casting on this film. What a cast list!! Many had fairly small but very impactful and memorable roles.

Aisling Bea was perfect in the lead role, flawless performance. Billie Lourd and Elizabeth McGovern were fantastic. Loved Sinéad Cusack and Peter Egan as the parents.

The double act of Harriet Walter and Samuel Barnett- I would watch a whole series with these two in the lead (spin-off when?) Loved all of their scenes, absolutely hilarious.

I loved the way this film was directed, especially in the moments where Aisling's character Gemma is completely overwhelmed. It resonated and I've never seen it portrayed in such an accurate way before.

One of those satisfying British films that makes the whole thing look effortless and natural - 10/10.

A fresh romantic comedy directed by Daniel Reisinger and penned by Melissa Bubnic takes a contemporary approach, reflecting the latest cultural shifts. The mention of Soros in the credits sheds light on the underlying influences at play. Marketed as a charming and humorous exploration of grief and everlasting love, this film challenges the notion that death is a taboo subject. Reisinger's AND MRS skillfully employs humor to navigate a challenging premise. After the sudden death of her fiancé, Gemma finds herself torn between her hesitations about marriage and her overwhelming sorrow. When she learns of an obscure law permitting posthumous weddings, she and her estranged future sister-in-law embark on a quest for an extraordinary solution. However, complications arise...

Aisling Bea delivers a standout performance as Gemma, and the film offers several thought-provoking quotes that linger long after viewing.

"And Mrs." is dedicated to the grievers and the grieving. So from someone who grieves, "Thank you, everyone, who worked on this movie!" One of the characters says in the film that love is eternal. This is so true. People's spirits are with us long after those people have passed on. May we always treasure the love people have given us. I also especially appreciated the writing, the integrity of the characters, and the humour. Didn't hurt to have an American TV love song at the center of the movie (that is, the Partridge Family's "I Think I Love You"). Wonderful to see one of Tom Hanks' sons and Carrie Fisher's daughter in action. (If a fan of Fisher, I recommend reading Billie Lourd's quotes, particularly the one where she says she had 3 parents). And remember on Trivia Night: no googling the answers!