The Girl in the Café

Bill Nihby's Lawrence is such a painfully reserved character to observe that one wonders how he can possibly be effective as a policy wonk. Still, the fusion of this shy man and the girl in the cafe who has all the time in the world and a charming b.s. meter to boot is a wonder to behold. This film is clearly a piece of propaganda wrapped in a love story. The message is delivered in inescapable measure. Ultimately, the film punches out its challenge to the movers and shakers of the G8 to 'be great.' One could only wish that the real movers and shakers could accept the simple message they are being challenged with. This is such a lovely little film with plenty of gusto.

Lawrence, an aide to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, appears to be a confirmed bachelor. This is a man that lives for his job that evidently keeps him away from the realities of life. Lawrence gets more than what he bargains for when he enters the cafe, at the beginning of the film, and asks Gina, who is minding her business, whether he can share her table to drink his tea.

Thus begins this romantic comedy with political overtones directed with great flair by David Yates and based on a screen play by Richard Curtis, a writer who knows a thing, or two, about human relations, as demonstrated by his previous work.

Lawrence and Gina, for all appearances are a mismatched pair. He comes from a different world, but has no social graces. She, on the other hand, seems to know a lot more about life than he does. It's easy to see why Lawrence falls head over heels in love with this shy and decent girl who surprises him, and the diplomatic team attending the G8 conference in Reykjavik, Iceland. Lawrence, on an impulse, decides to invite her to come along.

The only thing that Mr. Yates and Mr. Curtis haven't prepared us is for the way Gina, a shy and quiet woman, will raise to the occasion to tell her views to people that couldn't care less, much less would have asked her for her opinion of what's being negotiated in the summit.

Bill Nighy gives a splendid performance as the repressed and reserved Lawrence, a man who can't see beyond of the international diplomacy that consumes his life. Kelly MacDonald makes a wonderful and sweet Gina, a poor girl who has a lot to give. Both actors are wonderful playing together. They made us believe in their love and we are happy they found one another.

Highly recommended for viewers that appreciate a subtle comedy with its heart in the right place.

Written to coincide with the Africa Lives series on the BBC and also the current Make Poverty History campaign, 'The Girl in the Cafe' is a superlative TV drama that makes its political points without resorting to grandstanding or heavy-handedness.

Played to absolute perfection by Bill Nighy and especially Kelly MacDonald, and written by Richard Curtis with his usual wry wit, this drama places a socially aware Everywoman in the same room as the world's most powerful politicians at a fictional G8 Summit in Reykjavik.

The blossoming romance of the two leads and the politics of the summit develop in perfect tandem, neither allowed to undermine the other. It is to Curtis's credit that he does not seek to provide an easy way out for any of the characters, nor does he wrap everything up in a neat bow at the climax.

This is one of the most accomplished TV dramas I have ever seen, and I can only hope that it achieves the profile elsewhere that its creative team and, more importantly, its message deserves.

This movie is all about plot and character development. The two principal characters have a lot of depth. We learn more personal information about them and what motivates them as the story unfolds. The main male character was profoundly lonely and the enigmatic young woman was quite fascinating. The plot has a very compelling message about severe poverty and the toll it takes on some of the world's population.

This film resonated with me. I am still naive enough, at 45 years of age, to think that people or a person can make a difference. In spite of the daily realities we all face, I think it is important for people to at least feel that what they do matters. This movie sold that message in a way that had no hint of being superficial or patronizing.

The only criticism of the movie is the pace. It is a slow pace, but I found the plot interesting enough that it didn't detract. I am interested in global politics, and I found that part of the movie interesting in spite of the pace. My wife was bored with the pace and doesn't share my enthusiasm for the movie.

If you are interested in global politics and like movies with a strong character focus, this is a good one. If you need an energetic pace to your film, this movie suffers a bit.

It is rare indeed to experience a film that successfully blends comedy with a strong social message. "The Girl in the Café" is just such a film!

The first half of the firm is primarily quirky romantic comedy as a pencil-pushing, workaholic diplomat has a chance meeting with a young woman, and the couple share a table in a crowded café. The relationship of Lawrence (Bill Nighy) and Gina (Kelly Macdonald) then proceeds in fits and starts...mainly in fits!

There is obviously an attraction between the two characters. But the main problem is the diffidence of Lawrence, whose character redefines the concept of "British reserve." Based upon the shy and reluctant deportment of Lawrence, it is difficult to see how Great Britain was ever able to "people" its great Empire! One of the offbeat lines shared by Lawrence and Gina in a restaurant is: "I scrubbed up for you, tonight." The words "nice," "handsome," "beautiful," or even "You look good, tonight" are not available to characters so maladroit in their social graces.

The second half of the film moves into the area of politics when Lawrence invites Gina to the international G8 Summit meeting in Reykjavik, Iceland. It is there that Gina has some surprises for Lawrence and for the politicians at the conference. As brilliantly played by Kelly Macdonald, Gina delivers passionate and impromptu pleas to address the problems of world hunger, poverty, and AIDS. Gina's speeches are some of the most memorable moments in the film.

While the romantic relationship between Lawrence and Gina continues to unfold, it is the social and political side of the story that dominates the final portion of the film. Here, there is no shilly-shallying around on the part of Gina, as she boldly plants the seeds for social action. Ultimately, a question that emerges is whether or not an unassuming individual like Gina can single-handedly make a difference in her world, and the answer delivered by this gem of a film is a resounding "Yes."