Procurando Fígaro

As an opera buff, I was already halfway towards enjoying it anyway and it certainly is the ultimate "feelgood movie" and the ending was relatively predictable. However there is a delightful movie made more than 10 or 12 years ago called "the music teacher" it's French and the storyline is much the same! Indeed I began wondering to myself whether or not the writer and producers of this movie had in fact seen the music teacher which influence them to rewrite it and make a modern version . If you do a search on this database you will come up with a French version made in 1998 and it has the retired singer teaching 2 aspiring singers who are training for a singing competition. At the end there is a singing duel! I think overall the earlier French version is much more polished.

The goal of every movie should be to entertain. I was thoroughly entertained. Yes, some things were predictable but then there was a twist that made it seem more believable.

I loved Millie. I loved Max. I loved the banter with the bar keeper. Frankly, the only thing I found implausible is that she only had 2 suitcases to last her a year in the highlands.

This was perfectly cast. Who knew I loved opera? Apparently Ben Lewin knew.

And their voices were amazing. Who did that? The actors? I don't think so. It was a trick but a good one.

Wonderful Scottish scenery, straightforward plot, slightly stereotypical locals. Joanna Lumley is memorable if only for her dragged through a hedge look. I'm enjoying heroines who are not stereotypical in appearance and personality. A couple of twists along the way, not too predictable, beautiful music. Comfort food.

Great fun Nothing like real Opera in spite of well dubbed famous arias but a very enjoyable old fashioned good humoured film.

No one murdered ,no one beaten up ,no simulated sex ,and the most unlikely Don Giovanni ever but a welcome feel good film.

Shining performances from the ever wonderful Joanna Lumely, Hugh Skinner and Danielle Macdonald. You can't help but get drawn in and ultimately lost in the story and music of this film set against the glorious Scottish countryside. Enjoy!