Heavenly Pursuits

Cynical schoolteacher Tom Conti (as Vic Mathews) works at the "Blessed Edith Semple" school in hard-headed Glasgow, Scotland. Mr. Conti teaches learning-disabled students, like Ewen Bremner (as Stevie Deans). The boy/girl integrated Catholic school is trying to obtain "Sainthood" from the Vatican for its namesake, who has one documented miracle to her credit; "Edith Semple" cured a girl's blindness. Combed-over Brian Pettifer (as Father Cobb) is trying to find two more miracles in the kind woman's past. Music teacher Helen Mirren (as Ruth Chancellor) shows off her hourglass figure. Although he's not much of a believer, Conti should get ready to reevaluate his belief in miracles - because he's about to unwittingly perform them!

***** Heavenly Pursuits (9/3/87) Charles Gormley ~ Tom Conti, Helen Mirren, Ewen Bremner, David Hayman

A sweet, small-scale movie, rarely shown and only available in a deleted full screen PAL VHS edition at present, this film was screened on Scottish TV on 19 April 2009 in widescreen. It's quite grainy and the sound isn't exactly DTS quality but the story's good and the performances are universally good. It's Conti's film and his acting is almost invisible - I hope that's a compliment - whilst Mirren is an excellent foil to him; their relationship is not uncomplicated and consequently very real. Glasgow is shown in its all its pre "...Miles Better" glory with tower blocks and grime to the fore with a 14 year old Ewen Bremner in a key role as underachiever Stevie Deans. A sad sign of our times is that the innocent and friendly physical contact between teacher and pupil seen in 1986 would no longer be tolerated in 2009. Has Blessed Edith Semple School been granted its longed-for miracles or is Vic simply a great teacher triumphing in difficult circumstances? You decide.

This Scottish comedy-drama is one which is pretty obscure nowadays and I can't say I even recall it from back in the day. It seems to have been coming from the same general ballpark as the Bill Forsyth blend of gentle, quirky comedies which were very popular back in the 80's. The story centres on a non-believing teacher at a Glasgow Catholic school which is on the lookout for two more verifiable miracles required in order to promote the woman who the school is named after - Edith Semple - to sainthood; some seemingly miraculous events follow, complicated by the fact they all seem to involve the atheist teacher.

Unlike the Forsyth films, this one does seem to lack the strong characterisation and funny moments; unfortunately, like the Forsyth films it also has an awful soundtrack and a complete absence of any cinematic style whatsoever, with all events taking place in a world of beige. But despite all this, its still a decent enough watch, at least to a certain extent. The cast and regional location are probably the best things about it, with mid 80's Glasgow making for an intriguing backdrop, while Tom Conti is a good enough lead, with reliable players such as Helen Mirren and David Hayman helping out with the heavy lifting. It was also quite a surprise to see a teenage Ewen Bremner pitch up as a sort of Scottish Rain Man and it was even better to enjoy the sorely missed Jenny McCrindle appear in her first role as one of Conti's pupils. On the whole, probably worth seeing this more for the cast and location than the fairly uninteresting story. A likeable Scottish obscurity, whatever the case.

A bit disappointing when compared to the much superior, also set in Glasgow, comedy films directed by Bill Forsyth. The characters were lacking in, well character, and were not as interesting and crazy as those found in Mr. Forsyth's films. It would have probably got a higher score from me if there were no Forsyth films to compare it to but there are so just a 6 rather than an 8. Brian Pettifer has a regular stand at antique fairs and I've bought a few items from him but he does not like to have a discussion about his acting career which is fair enough. A slight disappointment but cheered up greatly by the presence of the lovely Helen Mirren.

I enjoy movies with British settings. While I prefer SAVING GRACE to this movie this one is more believable. Conti has a way of linking the ordinary with the extraordinary which gives the movie realism and depth. I would like to see it again but I lent this video out to someone several years ago and can't remember who!