School for Seduction

Every once in a while, I like to sit back and watch a "chick flick." Writer/Director Sue Heel's first effort was mostly enjoyable as a time passer, but there is nothing special to recommend it.

Kelly Brook (House of 9) was exquisite as the Italian beauty the opened up a school for charm and seduction for ordinary London housewives. I assume it was London, but what do I know. I am still trying to figure out what a "chippy" is. She was far less believable as her secret is revealed in the third act.

It was a funny story of men/woman problems, and how a little conversation would serve us all well in our relationships.

I am still trying to figure out why this got an "R" rating. Did I fall asleep?

The long and sometimes unfairly maligned tradition of British comedy films is still alive and kicking - thanks be! I saw this film as an in-flight movie between Heathrow and JFK. There were about 8 other films that passengers could chose from including the latest Hollywood blockbusters. Given the loud laughs and cheers that broke out all round the jumbo jet just at the points where I was doing likewise there is no doubt in my mind that this film was being enjoyed by many. This is a well observed, well written and carefully crafted film. There are delightful performances from some of the cream of British light comedy actors. Dervla Kirwan, with her smouldering good looks, initially had me worried playing an averagely inhibited wife, but she carried it off and her performance gained from the difference between her appearance and behaviour. British comedies can either be too smugly Home Counties based or too self consciously "up north" but despite being based around Tyneside this film neatly avoids being obsessed by its location . This may not be high art, this may not convey any serious messages but the important task of entertaining and making people laugh, which this film does admirably, should not be underestimated.

(3/10)

So obviously made as a female take on 'The Full Monty', this film is so carefully constructed according to a 'formula' that all life has been almost totally sucked out of it (except for the actress who plays the checkout girl, she's pretty good). Typically British, unadventurous, predictable, visually flat (it looks like an ITV drama) and not very funny. Also, Kelly Brook acts OK, has a great figure, and a lovely smile to boot, but frankly she isn't the 10-out-of-10 stunner that this character is supposed to be. It's obviously been made as a vehicle for her, but she has been miscast!

I don't remember laughing so much at any film! There are just so many good scenes, with great acting, moments of silence, surprised looks and just funny, funny.

Most of that comes from the great writing, but all the actors have to do their stuff too, and they do, even the males who mostly are made out to be total idiots, and up themselves.

It starts out in Italy where a bunch of girls are being taught, one of them is Sophia, (Kelly Brook) who promptly walks out on her stupid husband and heads back to Newcastle, England, where she was brought up and went to school.

She sets up similar school, to teach woman to be themselves, and gets some really interesting clients, mostly women whose partners don't seem to appreciate them. It helps the film that all the women are stunningly beautiful, and the guys are also quite good looking.

Emily Woof, Dervla Kirwan are great, and Tim Healy as a middle-aged guy and his wife give a different, and funny, slant on proceedings. Ben Porter is Toni, a drag queen. This guy has real talent, his song and dance scene is so good I'd love to see more!

Nearly a ten rating, but the last few minutes get a bit too serious.

I was dragged along to see School For Seduction by my girlfriend who was dying to see the film. I have to say, I'm glad I went!

The film was highly entertaining, and not just because I was able to watch Kelly Brook seduce everything from a broomstick to a room full of salivating men (a lot better than watching miss jones wibbling into her diary about hugh grant, I can tell you!). There was more than enough laughs, an engaging plot and some good emotional parts (for the ladies, of course).

So, if you want to earn yourself some brownie points with that special lady in your life, take her to see School For Seduction (and you won't have to suffer the usual drawl that your average chick-flick spits out)