Martha trifft Frank, Daniel & Laurence

If you are looking for simplicity with little twists here and there - just enough to make it amusing but not too much to be thought-provoking -then this movie would be a good place to start.

It's definitely a low-budget film, you can really tell from the color quality. Clever, feel-good script - really aims to entertain instead of being profound, although it's probably a good idea to lay off the cheesy, over-used lines like "she's different from any woman I've ever met" and "do you believe that things happenned for a reason?".

Good line up of cast. Tom Hollander and Rufus Sewell really shines as Daniel and Frank, they play off each other beautifully and show a bit of versatility which is nice (both are well known dramatic actors).

Joseph Fiennes was okay - Laurence doesn't really provide much. He's the long suffering lovesick puppy type which Mr. Fiennes has obviously played quite a few times before. He somehow fits in less naturally here as if he's gone straight from a stage production and hasn't really got time to shake off the character. Very good vocal (still got the elizabethan twinge in it)and not much facial expression. I do enjoy the idiosyncracies like Laurence drawing something whenever he feels stuck in the middle. And how he's occasionally being called "Florence".

Monica Potter provides a very Julia Roberts style performance, which isn't saying much of her own quality as an actress.

I was watching this movie with a roomate the other day and she said "It's a movie that makes you want to fall in love" - I myself was just looking for a comedy and was getting it just fine from this movie. So for whatever reason, you'll enjoy it.

So I'm walking through the video store late one friday night. I'm looking for something that will make me think. I'm tired of seeing movies that bore me.

I'm in the comedy section, I see "The out of towners", "forces of Nature", other crap like that and then I see this film.

I know...I know, checl out my other reviews, not my kind of film. So I pick it up, and read the box. I usually don't go for romantic comedies, but I like Joseph Fiennes, so I did the unthinkable. I rented it.

Now if you knew me, you would know that I spend hours in the video store just so I can smile when I get home. I hate to be letdown by films that suck.

I popped it in the VCR and poof, 88 minutes later, my smile was from ear to ear. This movie is guaranteed to put a smile on your face. Here's why:

Without giving away to much, this film tells the story of love and friendship in London. Monica Potter plays Martha, an american looking for something. The Brits, which are all impressive in their own way, deliver great, hearfelt performances. Rufus Sewell and Tom Hollander should pat themselves on the back for playing so unpredictably. And Fiennes, should play this way more often.

I feel very priveliged to have seen this great little film.

4/4

I happened to flick across the beginning of this film last night on cable. I missed the title, but saw "Joesph Fiennes", "Rufus Sewell", and "Ray Winstone" - and decided it was worth a look.

Though the beginning was a tad slow (the first five minutes makes you think it's going to be very depressing), this is actually a sweet comedy about love and friendship and the nature of "love at first sight".

Joesph Fiennes is heart-stoppingly beautiful, with his lovely puppy-dog eyes put to good use in his character as an overly-sensitive young man wedged between two aggressive friends who are less-than-sensitive.

I dislike most "romance" films; yet this one was different, for a reason I can't quite put my finger on. It tugs at your heart, and for all it's improbable situations (de rigeur in most romantic comedy), it rings true to life.

Definitely a good film for watching on a rainy afternoon.

Martha (Monica Potter) is single, sexy and she's so sick of her life she's off to London with the last of her money.

Daniel (Tom Hollander) is single, successful and after one look at Martha he thinks he's in love. Frank (Rufus Sewell) is one of Daniel's friends, despite the fact he is always trying to get one up on him. Lawrence (Joseph Fiennes) is another of Daniel's friends, and he is always caught between Frank and Daniel as they jostle for supremacy.

The casing and script are both strong, and the feel of the movie is nice and original, even with the usual clichés in the romance element. It's funny, it's romantic and it has sex appeal for both men and ladies, so obviously its worth a watch; if you don't try it, you'll never know.

7/10

I liked this. I saw it not more than five minutes ago, and I already want to see it again! I usually hate romantic movies, but this had enough twists to make it enjoyable. The actors looked like real people, and (thank god!) acted like them! Insecurities associated with dating came through brilliantly, and the two main characters really shined. I recommend this, especially for people who like quirky movies... And if you like this, try I.Q.! JD