Faintheart

Those looking for a whimsical British comedy will not find it here. Instead, "Faintheart" takes the kitchen-sink approach to a tale about a middle-aged man who can't get over his obsession with childish things. These include his bedraggled early 1970s appearance, his ancient decal-covered VW bus and his passion for playing a Viking in a series of battle reenactments with his similarly socially retarded buddies. Along the way, he loses his wife and child over his childish behavior. The plot has him slowly deciding to grow up and win back his love and young son, who is greatly embarrassed by his Peter Pan-like dad. Nothing all that special here, but worth a look. The ending is clumsily handled, but in truth it fits with this neo-realist fantasy. Oddly enough, the son is the spitting image of a young Jodie Foster. He's also the best actor in what was his very first movie.

I saw this last night, and what's special about it is that it was filmed in my home town of Ludlow (the shots of the Castle and the Church are landmarks in the town like the Empire State Building is in New York and the Eiffel Tower is in Paris), and also in Hereford just half an hour away, so I was dead eager to see it. Especially since I missed seeing it filmed because I was on a stunt course in Cardiff during that week in summer. After watching this movie, I was glad that I don't live in LA or New York (used to seeing a film in the cinema shot just down the road), because I found it fascinating to see a film with shots of the park, the castle, and the main street that I grew up with.

Luckily, I was not disappointed. There is not a single weak link in the cast. There are moments that make you laugh out loud so often (such as the moment when Ewen Bremner's character realises that he's landed a date with a fellow trekkie), and when you want to cry (for example, when Eddie Marsan's character realises that his hobby of battle re-enactment is the reason his relationship with his family has gone awry).

I would love to go on, but I fear it'd spoil the story. If the climax didn't warm you, you have a heart of concrete. A real feel-good film that will brighten your day without a doubt.

Many familiar stars if you're a fan of British films or TV! A comedic powerhouse filled with something for everyone. Comedy, romance, drama & enough action to please any intelligent person! The plot is strong & character development is excellent. Great family movie because it lacks sex, drugs or vulgarity. If you seek a laugh your socks off night of entertainment then this is your choice!

I have read a lot of negative reviews about this film but some people are just hard to please I devied much pleasure for a film made on a modest budget so I consider it excellent value I watched at home on lock down with both my ankles giving me scyatica pain and it was pleasureable enough to forget that pain

I saw Faintheart on a flight from Hong Kong to Sydney and loved it so much, I watched it three times and wanted the flight to go on longer (and I loathe flying!). It was beautifully scripted, guffaw-out-loud funny and very touching at the same time. There wasn't a weak performance or an extraneous line in the entire screenplay, the hero's character development was believable and the baddies were satisfyingly vanquished. The sub-plot involving male, female (and juvenile) Trekkies was absolutely hysterical. If you liked Brassed Off, you'll love this. (Note to female EastEnders fans - you won't believe how Joe, the schizophrenic teenager whose barmaid mum had an affair with Phil Mitchell, has grown up (Paul Nicholls)!)