Goddess

The trailer they made for this movie is a total winner. If only the movie lived up to that. It just did not translate as funny as the trailer. Still it was cute. The lead actress has a great voice. But the movie really is mostly singing with some story wedged in. It is shot beautifully. Everyone looks good. The countryside looks lovely. The idea is so good I wish it would of been a bit more of a comedy movie with some songs. But worth a watch online or DVD. I just did not realize this is really a musical. It feels like a Broadway show they translated to a movie. It is a cheerful upbeat movie that kids might like too.

Let's start with the good. The main actress sings well and there's plenty of colour and rhythm with all the dance routines. (She can't lip sync to save her life, but she's a musical theatre actress not a popstar, so it's probably to her credit). Generally it's solidly acted by all the cast.

The bad: the grotesque "moral" of this story. Basically you can't have a glittering career if you're a mother. Despite the fact that your husband is working away from home for months on end enjoying his glittering career, and that there would be no issue whatsoever with taking two pre-school age kids to the US with a nanny for a couple of months: no, your husband will go off with someone else, so you must go back to the remote rural town in Tasmania you've inexplicably chosen to reside in, put your rubber gloves on, and be a small town stay-at-home mom.

I watched with increasing heart-sinking as I saw the ending of this approaching, knowing exactly where it was going, and I hated it every bit as much as the similarly dismal ending of View from the Top (2003).

What a great way to spend a couple of hours on a Friday night. My girlfriend and I thoroughly enjoyed this fun-filled, feel-good film. The cast are sensational and the music a revelation. I hope we hear more of Joanna Weinberg. If you loved The Sapphires, Muriel's Wedding, Strictly Ballroom or Priscilla, you will love Goddess. The production value is amazing. Sydney and Tasmania look sensational as does Magda! I couldn't believe it when the audience broke into spontaneous cheering and clapping over the closing credits. I thoroughly recommend Goddess to anyone who wants a to enjoy a great little pick-me- up. I am still singing a couple of those fantastic songs.

The first time I saw this when it was released, I was in a different head space and I absolutely adored this little film.

Twelve years later it felt overcrowded.

Tasmania was photographed beautifully, I like the whales, I liked all the songs, I liked the singers and I liked the actors. But something doesn't sit right.

I think it was just all too much, somehow. Perhaps I'm not a musical fan. I still haven't watched Mumma Mia because I know I will despise all that over singing and noise.

I like the story plot. It wasn't quite comedy but more romance, which was fairly cliche. Maybe that's the problem. This movie was delightful but also one giant cliche. What a shame. It was otherwise potentially a 10.

What a great movie. I'm still singing the songs and I'm recommending it to all my friends. Goddess is funny, heartwarming and a pleasure to watch. The choice of the director (Mark Lamprell) to cast Laura Michelle Kelly and Ronan Keating as a young UK family transported into a new community in a new country is inspired. They simply "click" on screen and exude warmth. The director's choice of Magda is equally inspired. She is nothing short of a knockout.

The musical numbers are very catchy and expertly choreographed. This is the movie Australians have been asking for for years. All too often critics have complained that Australian movies take themselves far too seriously. Not so Goddess. No bleak navel gazing happening here. Goddess is quirky and fun from beginning to end.

Give yourselves a treat over the Easter break. Go and see Goddess and have great time.