Les vainqueurs

My brother got me on to this film, I'm just getting over a bad Viral infection so i'm spending a bit of time at home. He bought me a load of DVD's to borrow and some where in the middle was this one. It's about the closer of an independent Bingo hall and a community trying to save it from the evil grip of corporate Bingo (stay with it, it looks better than it sounds).

it's the sort of film you'll see on a sunday afternoon and it'll make you feel good about the world.

just give it watch, you'll love it.

Before she became a big star Kelly McDonald appeared in low budget films like this one that tried to ape the 'feel good British comedy' vibe that was in fashion after The Full Monty.

In principle the idea behind this film is not a bad one. Old bingo hall vs. the new upcoming one. There's lots of room for outlandish characters and sentiment as the staff work together to save the old hall. It also allows room for star turns from people like Freddie Jones.

And yet it doesn't work, despite a good performance from McDonald. The main problem is that the film doesn't seem to know whether it wants to be a big bawdy comedy or a sweet sentimental one. In the end it flits between both camps and ends up being neither.

It's an OK film for a rainy day, but I certainly wouldn't spend big money chasing down a copy.

A very likeable film in all respects, from the stylish direction to great acting from all concerned (although the terribly sexy Kelly Macdonald lets slip a few Scottish vowels and at times verges on Ruth Madoc's Gladys Pugh - but I can forgive her for anything). Subtle and very effective music scoring adds to the overall humour and there are some surprisingly touching moments, especially from the great Freddie Jones, who seems to be in his element as the Welsh-Italian bingo hall owner / chef / opera lover. Also, some frighteningly realistic old women from South Wales - dun 'alf make me feel 'omesick, like mun.

This is a very nice funny film about loyalty, friendship, dreams ... and Bingo - slightly sentimental, but not too much. I first saw this movie at the Mannheim-Heidelberg film-festival some years back, where the director described it as a "Welsh Psychic Bingo Movie"; which I guess sums it up rather well.

A girl tries to save her aging employer and his crumbling Bingo-hall from bankruptcy, against all odds. The only problem is that she doesn't know whom to trust ...

It may not be the most 'intellectual' film I've ever seen, but it is much more 'intelligent' than most films nowadays. The film creates a convincing small Welsh town atmosphere and is in this, I believe, superior to 'Plots with a View' and 'Undertaker's Paradise'. Considering the quite impressive cast, I think it goes without saying that all the actors perform brilliantly.

I was so enthusiastic about this film that I searched for a copy of it for over a year; I only could get it on DVD - and bought a DVD-player just for this film! This should show you how convinced I am of this film. I give it 9 out of 10.

It won't change your life. There's no road to Damascus moment and neither is it seminal. However, it is well acted, especially Kelly McDonald who's superb in everything she does, and Miriam Margolyes, who is the same, with a story that will leave you with a warm feeling inside.

I'm not sure why I liked it, but like it a lot I did.

It ticks along at a steady pace, being both humorous and entertaining, giving the viewer the impression the cast also enjoyed acting in it.

On the negative side, there's no bad language, no nudity, no confusing plot and no pointless CGI. On the positive side, it is fun.