Les Optimistes

This is such a sweet little movie - containing (next to Being There) Peter Sellers finest screen performance. The two kids are also outstanding and anyone who wants to see London locations other than Tower Bridge and Piccadilly Circus should check this out. A seemingly forgotten film, but well worth seeking out.

This is a very sad and sensitive film, beautifully filmed in a very poor area of London just behind Battersea Power Station. If you enjoy Merchant Ivory films, the 'Kidnappers', or 'Whistle Down the Wind' then you will appreciate the delicate undertones of this story.

It is very true to life in the late 60's in London and shows the resilience of the children and the sadness of a once great Music Hall star.

I remember the scene with the budgerigar act - Don Crown & His Busking Budgies! I would have seen the film as a child in the early seventies and in hindsight I think Sellers was also paying homage to his dad's time as a music hall performer. My mother was conscious of Sellers wearing a prosthetic nose as Sam, but it was a hell of a lot better than the one he had for the sailor guise (as Clouseau) in one of the Pink Panther films! My sister had the book that inspired the film and the depiction of the death of Sam's dog Bella was quite upsetting.

A shame the DVD version's sound is poor and subtitles aren't available. I can recall a documentary being on TV about it and this could have done to be on the DVD.

It's been several years since I saw The Optimists and then only the once. But the movie stands out in my memory as one of the very best I've seen and remembered. I like Peter Sellers in any movie and this is one of his best works. The story is so typical of the era and it presents the gritty real life of the time, much like my own childhood. The tale is very much in the vein of Kes, another real life drama of equal merit, which was made around the same time and reflects the same childhood era. I'd like to see it again and own a copy of the film myself. If there is anyone with a copy or knows where I may obtain a copy, it would be very much appreciated.

Despite wretched photography and poor sound, this film is an especially appealing monument to the romanticism of the period in which it was filmed. Sellers is excellent as the street entertainer, and the youngsters playing the two children who are attracted to him are riveting. The music too is to be commended. It's a three star film, worthy of one's time.