Greenfingers

This is a wonderful (true) story of hardened criminals who, through gardening, become human again. The performances are all quite excellent, including that of the ever-enjoyable Helen Mirren. Even if you aren't a gardener, you will enjoy this film about redemption and triumph.

This lovely little film isn't trying to be anything it's not. It's interesting, touching, sad at times, and very, very funny! What more could you want for entertainment? I enjoy going to a movie and feeling good - okay, so YES, this is a feel-good movie. It has a really, really excellent feel-good plot. Bad guys make good... at gardening!

It's based on a true story, and that's one thing that really makes the story work. You root for the characters (you should!), you hope for the best (what's wrong with that?!), and along the way not everything goes as it "should". Well done folks. Also very well-acted. Scenery great. Characters great. Ending great (no, it isn't over-the-top good-good, if you hate that like I do...).

Sad to have to do the cliched and tired "if you liked _____ you'll love _____", but gotta do it: If you liked "Saving Grace", this is a great movie for you! (Though a friend of mine thinks I should say "if you liked "The Full Monty"...)

I say, spend the money if you are inclined, I don't think you'll regret a minute of it!

My wife and I caught this nice, heartwarming film quite by accident. We started watching it as there was nothing else on. Then, as the story progressed, quite rapidly, we were engrossed.

The was quite good, as should be expected by British actors, the cinematography and settings were great and the story was superb, though simple.

Too few of these nice little foreign films get airplay in the States (we are currently living in Taiwan), and it's a shame, because this is a great little film.

"Daysees, pahnsies and buttucups, you blokes are a disgrace to the prison system."

I can't believe the cynicism surrounding this film. It has a nice wholesome quality to it that is lacking in our films today. I love films like 'Scarface', 'GoodFellas' and '48 HRS.' but that doesn't mean I can't like a film like 'Greenfingers'. Taking a group of prisoners and putting them in such a scenario as making them gardeners as part of their rehabilitation is a unique concept for a film. Reviewers, especially American critics must think all prisons around the world are loaded with weapons and power hungry guards and wardens. Countries like Canada, Switzerland and England have less violent criminals and less confrontational authorities. Some are mocking the film's whole premise as absurd but to make it more credible, this film is based on a true story! 'Greenfingers' runs a short 90 minutes, has some good characters that are well developed and jokes that bubble with surprising wit and charm. Examine the cast and crew carefully and watch out for their next film(s). We need more like them.

I have a couple of cynical kin who sometimes go to the video rental store and select a movie solely because there are only one or two copies on the shelf. Their reasoning: wildly popular movies usually reflect the crass, Hollywood-dictated tastes of the ignorant masses, while a single- or double-copy film has had enough of a following to be recognized as worthwhile, but not enough to be awful. (Hey, don't blame me--I'm just quoting my nutty relatives.) But you know what? More often than not they bring home a charmer.

"Greenfingers" is such a one. British convicts in an experimental prison discover the joy of creating a beautiful garden. There are some painful setbacks and some delicious triumphs, mixed in with some lust here, some romance there--come to think of it, a kind of human garden. The characters are quirky and endearing, the situations amusing, the presentation economical. The cinematography is good, too; the opening scene could be entitled, "A Thousand Words," for what it's worth.

I particularly salute the courage of those who dared to people a movie with a warden who wasn't sadistic, a celebrated and haughty VIP who wasn't hateful, and well-behaved prisoners who got a break. (Next thing you know, they'll be making movies involving Christians who aren't hypocrites, parents who aren't fools, conservative legislators who aren't racists, and corporation execs who are just about as honest as the rest of us.)

(Naah--never happen.)

See this movie; unless you are an action junkie or a confirmed curmudgeon, it will make you smile and be glad.

7/10