Minha Família e Outros Animais

It is a pity that this was made for television only, as it would have been an excellent movie release.

It is an excellent adaptation of the book (of the same name) by Gerald Durrell, and accounts the youthful exploits of the extremely talented Durrell family during their stay in Corfu after their father's death. The story is told through the eyes of the 12 year old budding Zoologist Gerrald Durrell in the backdrop to the outbreak of the second world war.

The characters are well portrayed and realistic, and the script manages to keep in the light-hearted humour and comedy from the book. Altogether a highly recommended movie for all the family.

The movie is truly a delight to watch. It's full of warmth and humour. It reminds me how wonderful it is to connect to nature, a thing hard to achieve in this modern age of technology and fast-paced life. The scenery is just so beautiful, the characters interesting and lovable, the acting smooth and convincing, the soundtrack I find quite quirky but amusing, and the animals absolutely cute! Imelda Staunton is superb as usual, while Eugene Simon is very good as the inquisitive Gerald. Despite the fact that this movie is not a very dramatic one (no violence, no real romance nor suspense), it is engaging and entertaining. A must-see.

The Brits really know how to do it right! This is the absolute funniest thing I've seen in decades. I was busting out laughing constantly throughout the film; and I enjoyed it so much I watched it again the next day, still in awe of its perfection, and still constantly amused to the point of complete hilarity.

Acting: Perfect. Imelda Staunton will throw you with how funny she is; the other actors/characters, especially Gerry's literary brother Larry, are equally as hilarious. Plenty of absurdist, priceless interactions between all of the nutty family members, and between the family and their odd entourage of wacky friends and inscrutable Greeks.

Script: Incredible. Flawless. Word perfect. This finely honed script from Gerald Durrell's witty and extremely well-written memoir is another stunning example of how "the Brits do it better."

Plot: Who could think up a better one (and it's a true story no less!)? Loony, dysfunctional, fog-and-chill-crazed Brits move to a sunny, backward Greek island and mayhem ensues. Hilarious. Lots of odd twists and turns.

Cinematography: Breathtaking. Gerald Durrell was a world-famous zoologist, whose passion for nature and animals began with this move to Corfu. Nature is revealed in all of her fascinating, gorgeous mystery in this film's meticulous cinematography. Delightful! Beautiful! Oh, to be a child again and roam the leafy, creature-laden wilds and beautiful beaches of Corfu.

Music: Bust-a-gut funny. It compliments the movie like wine compliments the perfect dinner.

Main takeaway: This film is HILARIOUS. There is not a single character who is not memorably bizarre.

Don't miss this film if you like absolute quality entertainment, and want to laugh throughout the entire course of a film. It's clever and witty and cheeky beyond measure. And the best part is that it's true. Bless Gerry Durrell -- he's made a whole peck of people supremely happy!

it is easy to define it as inspired adaptation. or as one great stories. and, maybe, like one of the perfect choice for entire family. in fact, it is one of the adventure in the perfect fantasia. from the perspective of a child, discovering, in Corfu, the taste of life, chaos, animals and relatives relations, passion an sadness, sketch about a form of Paradise. seems be real seductive. and, off course, it is it.

I caught this movie on PBS at four in the morning and was hooked for the next two hours. It's a funny, original story beautifully shot (one assumes on location in Greece). The focus of the film is on the youngest member of an eccentric British family and his absorbing interest in nature, but the rest of his clan all have their own unique quirks. It's a little bit like James Herriot by way of ALICE IN WONDERLAND. But what impressed me most of all was the assured direction. It jumps from character to character and incident to incident, all vastly amusing, without ever becoming boring or wasting a frame. It makes me want to hunt down the TV series or go read the books. By all means catch this if you ever have a chance.