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.

A Previous Engagement is Juliet Stevenson's best performance since Truly Madly Deeply. Juliet heads up a great cast in this well written and well crafted Intelligent comedy. Daniel Stern is marvelous as the unsuspecting husband taken on vacation to Malta under false pretences. This film will make you laugh and cry, with some of the funniest lines coming during moments of great pathos. The Maltese setting is luxurious to watch, but does not detract from the personal dramas being played out before us. This film is not your average Romantic Comedy although it fits the bill very well. It is a classy drama which will speak volumes to people who find their children grown and are maybe looking at their lives and wondering how they got where they are and ask "Is this it"? The fact that it is also very funny is the icing on the cake and will make the film appeal to a wide audience. If you watch this, you won't forget it.

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 ;)

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!

i loved, loved, loved this film... the cinematography is breathtaking, the writing hilarious, the acting brilliant. Juliet Stevenson is still one of the greatest actresses of her generation & shows off her comedic skills while maintaining a real tenderness & emotional foundation. she plays it perfectly. the dynamic between her two daughters is hilarious, and both girls hold their own with such a pro cast. as usual, Simon Woods is a complete babe, & Daniel Stern is like the cherry on top of the cake! the story is brave, funny & exciting, just as is Stevenson's character. the plot takes daring twists & turns, just as the viewer hopes it will, without being predictable. i left this film with a giant smile on my face & haven't stopped thinking about it since. all hail Joan Carr-Wiggin!