Hampstead

A simple, pleasant and charming oddball romantic tale with great production standards. Of course, the truth is, I wouldn't have looked into it, much less touched it, without the name Brendan Gleeson. That he can adapt his 'strengths' to this form of confectionery product increases my admiration for his skills. I haven't exactly been clamoring for more Keaton, but she does what she does well. I had to hogtie and incapacitate my cynical beast to get through it, but it leaves a pleasant taste.

I watched this under the mistaken impression it was Woody Allen's 'Match Point' and was called 'Wimbledon'; a misapprehension compounded by the presence of Diane Keaton.

Very much an American's eye view of Blighty, teaming with caricature Brits and with the usual fluttering music score. But Keaton has outgrown those mannerisms that made her work post 'Annie Hall' such a trial, and her performance and that of Brendan Gleason keep you interested until it comes to a satisfactory conclusion.

So lovely to see Diane Keaton play a character who thinks she doesn't do anything. I think that feeling is common among givers. They give without realizing they're giving. She's getting to the end of her life and suddenly she realizes she doesn't have anything or anyone. I was moved to see in Keaton's eyes that youthful realization of love. This charming surprise of a film has other hidden pleasures, Brendan Gleeson for instance, his tender wild human is a delight, not to mention Lesley Manville - her scenes are filled with a comic energy that never goes over the top, a real treat. And then Simon Callow as the judge is the icing on the cake. Enjoy.

This film tells the story of a wealthy American woman whose fortunes have turned after her husband's death. She befriends a man who lives wild no the heath next to her home, and together they fight for things they truly wanted in life.

The characters are very interesting in here for a change. The superficial friends in the neighbourhood are rather thought provoking, as they appear so perfect from the outside but they are way less than perfect on the inside. Indeed they seem to be selfish and have little compassion for each other. The final courtroom scene is unexpectedly touching, as the stranger makes a moving confession. It is an enjoyable, and certainly unconventional romantic film.

"Do you drink too much all the time? No, only when I drink."

You're lying relaxed on your sofa on a Saturday night and you don't have the energy to do something useful? Well, that will certainly not change after watching this romantic comedy which takes place in the vicinity of Hampstead Heath. The whole film proceeds at a leisurely pace and tells about the strange relationship between Emily (Diane Keaton) and Donald (Brendan Gleeson). Emily is a middle-aged widow living in a respectable appartment opposite Hampstead park. Donald is a wayward tramp living in a little self-build shack in that same park, growing his own potatoes and carrots and fishing for lunch in the local pond. The two relate to eachother as yin and yang. Emily is having money troubles after the death of her husband, who left her a mountain of debt. She works voluntarily in an Oxfam clothing store and is reasonably socially engaged. Donald, on the other hand, never worries about money and wants everyone to leave him alone. In his eyes, the rest of the community consists of money-minded egocentric know-it-alls who do not understand and appreciate his wilful lifestyle.

The advantage of films such as "Hampstead", is that you won't be flabbergasted by it. You get a warm and blissful feeling from it and your brain cells are spared an exhausting effort. My philosophizing about "being amazed while watching a movie" (read my review about "Paddington 2" once again) isn't applicable to this film, because there's really nothing to be surprised about. The choice of its title is quite obvious. And when Emily looks unconsciously with binoculars through the attic window and thus discovers the bare belly of a bathing Donald, you immediately know what the tree-hugging activist is planning to do. What follows is a succession of endearing conversations and predictable misunderstandings. Fortunately, it doesn't lapse into romantic excesses and we are simply witnessing a burgeoning friendship between two individuals who have their own personal problems. One person fails to make ends meet financially and her gossiping high-society neighbor tries to link her to an accountant. The other is urged to leave his premises or he'll be expecting some legal proceedings. Well, it's clear from the beginning how this will resolve itself.

I really enjoy the acting of Diane Keaton. In every film she's the personification of a very cozy, hugely affectionate and huggable elderly lady. Such a granny who looks immensely friendly, helpful and old-fashioned. And on that level, she's of course the correct choice to play the character Emily in this not so surprising film. Because to be honest, it seems as if Diane Keaton always plays the same movie character. I'm sure Diane Keaton is a similar person in real life and thus plays herself all the time. Brendan Gleeson, on the other hand, was a joy to watch. A bearded garden gnome who's sometimes a real old grumbler but next shows he also owns a caring heart. Even though they look like an odd couple and it feels as if they don't really belong together, I can understand that someone like Emily can succumb to the sometimes hidden charms of Donald.

Apparently the story is based on true facts but some things are a bit romanticized and made up. The whole thing reminded me of "5 Flights up" where Diane Keaton also had a real estate problem together with Morgan Freeman. "Hampstead" is like some household tasks. You do not necessarily have to do them, but if you can bring yourself to carry them out, it won't hurt either. So it's not required to watch this average, easy-going romantic comedy. But if you do, it won't seem as if you've ruined your precious time.

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