The Right Juice

I just saw this film yesterday and I must say it was wonderful. I have visited the Algarve in Portugal several times, and I must saw first of, that the wipe in the film was just as I remember from my stay in the Algarve. The story was sweet and well acted and I especially loved Miguel Damião playing the helpful neighbor. Just so funny, in fact there were just so many lovable and funny moments in this romantic comedy from Portugal that I can fully recommend it to everyone who wants to feel happy and just have a nice time with a great little flick.

The story is about this out of luck banker from London, very well played by Mark Killeen (although are little butch –But I guess that was for his Game of Thrones appearance), who makes a fresh start in the Algarve. And If you have ever been to Portugal and especially the Algarve you just know how wonderful and helpful the Portuguese are. Therefore Oliver (Mark Killeen) and his neighbor Manel, played really well by Portuguese actor Miguel Damião appear in all of these well known Portuguese situations, which Oliver handles in sometimes very misplaced ways, so funny, and sweet at the same time.

Before seeing this movie as a screening in the Netherlands I heard it was a romantic comedy with a little bit of action in it and the first feature length movie of the director. And that's just what it is. A nice funny feel-good movie. It's about a London banker who is following his dream in the Algarve in Portugal after getting into a crisis. His dreams are being blocked by some investors, but with the help of some local people he fights back. The story is simple but solid. The plot is not too exciting. But right from the start you really get into it. The movie breathes the right atmosphere of the Algarve. You can feel the heat and the dryness of the surroundings. You can also identify with the main character who wants to start a new life without the complexities of the western world, but has to face the problems one meets when starting all over again in a new place. Ellie Chidzey is convincing as his wife Sally who is used to her luxurious lifestyle in London and can't let go of it. If you like romantic comedies and want to learn a lesson in the end, I can recommend this movie.

The right juice easily absorbs you into the story of a broke banker, who tries to start up a new life in the Algarve country side. In the beginning the movie is funny and light. The story seems to be predictable but is not actually. At the end of the movie you will find the true meaning of The Right Juice. Wonderful movie that makes you feel good but with a surprising ending, that makes you wonder about your own meaning in life. Loved the characters. Great cast in a beautiful Portugese ambiance. First thing I did after the movie, was ordering the t-shirt at www.therightjuice.net. It will be my motto from now on.

I've experienced The Right Juice as a movie that makes you connect to the characters and makes you smile. As usually typical for movies that are made in France, Italy, Spain and Portugal you relate to the characters.

This movie brings you exactly that! This is beautifully supported by the way the scenes are shot. The location is typical Algarve and the Portuguese characters are real, not stereotyped.

I believe this movie was not shot with a large budget and that makes it even more an achievement of this production team. I am looking forward to see more of this director and see what more he can do with more budget.

This all underlines the passion of all the people involved in this project to make this movie as it is now, a warm movie.

Where do I start? Well, I have lived in the Algarve for nearly eighteen years and so I was looking for a film that did show something of the life here, I was not disappointed! I loved the portrayal of the local people in the film, really showed the humour of the Portuguese people and the good thing is I think they will find this film very funny too, well, the people sat in the cinema with me were Portuguese and laughed as much as I did. There were some very poignant moments which brought a lump to my throat but at the end of the film I came out thinking what a great all round film it was. The casting was very good and Selenor was so like my very philosophical neighbour who farms goats. Congratulations to all involved, wishing you all the best when it is released globally!