A Previous Engagement

This movie has received some astonishingly positive reviews, and sounded good. So we watched it. Unfortunately, it isn't very good. Warning - when you see five or so reviews giving 10 stars (ten!!) from people who only ever do one review, the alarm bells should be ringing. In no universe is this ever going to be a 10 star movie. There are some funny bits, a couple of mild twists, and a few nice shots of Malta, but otherwise the script is unlikely, the characters not believable, the whole thing is simply ridiculous.

One acting high spot was Valerie Mahaffey as Grace - she was pretty good.

So if you feel so inclined, watch this movie, then read the 10 star reviews, and prepare to be annoyed at the obvious attempts at rating manipulation.

super cool, romantic movie. Daniel Stern always one of my favourites from the days of Home Alone even. I love to see him in roles like this, extending his acting reach. And Claire Brosseau, who is a relative newcomer to me is gorgeous and quite the talent! I witnessed her amazing talent in Marion Bridge and love to see that it has carried on her in Previous Engagement. It's no easy to transcend live theatre talent onto the big screen, But Claire Brosseau has managed to do so with this latest character. I recommend this movie to couples, singles, even triples if you so see fit. It will make you happy, sad, cry and laugh....although that could just have been my emotional roller-coaster happening ;)

I cannot disagree more than with the comment that Melius from Toronto posted regarding this movie. I laughed out-loud during many of the scenes and felt the bittersweet sadness of other parts of the story. While on vacation when I was much younger, I met someone whom I liked very much and we had a definite chemistry, but we prevented it from going too far at the time. The last thing the person said to me was, "I know one day, might be 30 years from now, but one day, are paths will cross and we will meet again". With the internet, I know this person has a dental practice and is living in Maine. I can completely understand what would motivate the main character in this film to seek out the person she felt was her one true love. I liked this movie so much that I am right now seeing if the DVD is available for sale because I would like to own a copy.

This film is a breath of fresh air in the world of romantic comedies. A truthful and comedic glimpse into love and marriage after the age of 40. I laughed so hard in places, and found all the performances consistently charming in a way that wasn't in any way the standard pap you tend to find in this genre. Juliet Stevenson is well-cast as the quirky lead heroine who wants something more from her life than her American husband (well-played by Daniel Stern) and family can offer. Also, I don't think I've ever seen a movie set in Malta, and the experience of going through this story with these characters was like actually visiting the Mediterranean. I sincerely hope this film finds its audience, as it's a true original. Expect the unexpected when you sit down to watch this film!

The script had promise. Any other praise for this movie has to come only from those involved in trying to sell this sad attempt at movie making. This must be one of the worst films I ever saw. The actors, at least the two that could act, floundered in mediocre sets, mediocre supporting cast and worse of all, a mediocre direction that could not be worse had it been directed by a blind director. There is no idea of pacing, composition, and anything else that could have led the actors to abandon their over acted hysterics and try to inject some believable interpretation to the characters. There were a couple of laughs but I think it was the result of embarrassment rather than genuine comedy. This film was shot in the island of Malta and in particular the old medieval city of Mdina. Well, they might as well have shot it on a back lot in Hampstead Heath. There was absolutely no feel for the imposing scenery that is there for the taking. I'll stop this review here for there is a lot more misery to mention and I have already lost too much effort on this movie. I'm just angry at having wasted money and time on this film. If you ever come across it on TV, RUN!