My Family and Other Animals

The Brits really know how to do it right! This is the absolute funniest thing I've seen in decades. I was busting out laughing constantly throughout the film; and I enjoyed it so much I watched it again the next day, still in awe of its perfection, and still constantly amused to the point of complete hilarity.

Acting: Perfect. Imelda Staunton will throw you with how funny she is; the other actors/characters, especially Gerry's literary brother Larry, are equally as hilarious. Plenty of absurdist, priceless interactions between all of the nutty family members, and between the family and their odd entourage of wacky friends and inscrutable Greeks.

Script: Incredible. Flawless. Word perfect. This finely honed script from Gerald Durrell's witty and extremely well-written memoir is another stunning example of how "the Brits do it better."

Plot: Who could think up a better one (and it's a true story no less!)? Loony, dysfunctional, fog-and-chill-crazed Brits move to a sunny, backward Greek island and mayhem ensues. Hilarious. Lots of odd twists and turns.

Cinematography: Breathtaking. Gerald Durrell was a world-famous zoologist, whose passion for nature and animals began with this move to Corfu. Nature is revealed in all of her fascinating, gorgeous mystery in this film's meticulous cinematography. Delightful! Beautiful! Oh, to be a child again and roam the leafy, creature-laden wilds and beautiful beaches of Corfu.

Music: Bust-a-gut funny. It compliments the movie like wine compliments the perfect dinner.

Main takeaway: This film is HILARIOUS. There is not a single character who is not memorably bizarre.

Don't miss this film if you like absolute quality entertainment, and want to laugh throughout the entire course of a film. It's clever and witty and cheeky beyond measure. And the best part is that it's true. Bless Gerry Durrell -- he's made a whole peck of people supremely happy!

It is a pity that this was made for television only, as it would have been an excellent movie release.

It is an excellent adaptation of the book (of the same name) by Gerald Durrell, and accounts the youthful exploits of the extremely talented Durrell family during their stay in Corfu after their father's death. The story is told through the eyes of the 12 year old budding Zoologist Gerrald Durrell in the backdrop to the outbreak of the second world war.

The characters are well portrayed and realistic, and the script manages to keep in the light-hearted humour and comedy from the book. Altogether a highly recommended movie for all the family.

Remember the days when watching television with your family was wholesome, clean, and even entertaining. I love Imelda Staunton in this role as the mother of family who vacation in Greece. Her beloved son becomes more like P.T. Barnum by taking care of so many creatures. It's told from his point of view before World War II during a family vacation on a Greece Island. It's the kind of film that the whole family can watch and laugh at some of the moments. It's not too serious or too lighthearted. IT's just fine for an hour an half of clean, fun and family style entertainment that a whole family can gather around the set and watch together. It doesn't have vulgarity, sex, or violence to ruin it. It's not that kind of film. I was watching this film in London where I learned that Imelda Staunton was awarded the O.B.E. (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) which suits her perfectly. The scenery is spectacular and the writing could have been a little better but it works just fine for me. I love the acting but I can't remember the other actors' names.

I rented My Family and the Other Animals on a friend's recommendation and am happy that I did. I think I'm going to have to own this movie now. I will certainly watch it again - if just to catch all the lines that were delivered (with either Greek or English accents depending on who was speaking) while I was laughing too loudly to catch the dialog! This movie proves that if the story (which is based on real life in this case), the writing, and the acting are all impeccable (which is true of this movie) one doesn't need much more that a nice villa set in a beautiful location in Southern Europe and some local talent to make a fantastic little movie.

I use the word "little" not to take anything away from the quality of the movie, but rather because this movie was never released on the "Big" screen. Aired on PBS television for "Masterpiece Theatre" and now available on DVD, this film is capable of succeeding in movie theaters.

If you are anything like me, you will find yourself smiling, chuckling, and recalling particular lines from this movie for at least a full day after watching it!

The movie is truly a delight to watch. It's full of warmth and humour. It reminds me how wonderful it is to connect to nature, a thing hard to achieve in this modern age of technology and fast-paced life. The scenery is just so beautiful, the characters interesting and lovable, the acting smooth and convincing, the soundtrack I find quite quirky but amusing, and the animals absolutely cute! Imelda Staunton is superb as usual, while Eugene Simon is very good as the inquisitive Gerald. Despite the fact that this movie is not a very dramatic one (no violence, no real romance nor suspense), it is engaging and entertaining. A must-see.