andy-cippico

This looked a bit lurid on the face of it, but it was just next on the playlist in my Storyville collection. It follows the intertwined lives of Danish men looking for Thai brides and the impact that has on their respective families in each country. It is simultaneously heartwarming, awkward, and utterly tragic. I was spellbound from the moment it started. I have to confess that at some points it was a bit tricky to follow, especially with the subtitles, but I got the gist.

What makes this remarkable is that it was filmed over a 10 year period. Now that really is commitment on the behalf of the documentary makers. The musical score that ran throughout was absolutely beautiful, and totally appropriate at every stage. Impressed.

Don't expect anything too deep or meaningful. I came to the film with no expectations - probably the best way to be with any film.

It's a joyful comedic romp through 1950s America. I thought Sinatra acquitted himself very well, as did Russell and Marx. They all played into the somewhat thin plot as well as they could and I thoroughly enjoyed the result. It keeps a fast pace and doesn't let up. There are jokes aplenty, mostly from Marx (some of which still work today) when directed at the owner of the bank at which he tries to deposit a sum of money. There are three musical interludes, and whilst not being a fan of musicals per se, I found charming and appropriate for the scene.

I came away smiling and happy, but nostalgic for a film era when agendas and quotas weren't shoehorned into them. Look no further than this film.

Although I'm plenty old enough to have seen the original series' broadcasts, I never saw any. So, I come to this series with no preconceptions.

Martin Clunes is without doubt the standout actor in this series and I felt an increasing empathy with his character as the story unfolded. I really enjoyed his dark sarcasm and flippant attitude towards the world, all whilst trying to hold down a high power job and being oblivious of a failing marriage.

How many of us turn up at an office job wishing they could be farming penguins instead; poor but happy.

The last scene had me in tears, being a bit close to home for me, and was disappointed that this was the last ever episode.

All in all, a hugely enjoyable comedy with plenty of poignant life stories threaded through it.