Solitaire for 2

This is one of my favourite films. Although it seems it is not everyones cup of tea, and there are flaws, I thoroughly enjoyed it. After catching this on Sky, I scoured the country to get a copy on video.

Amanda Pays is lovely, even though her character appears spiteful at times. Her ability to read minds makes for a plot with amusing one liners, and results in some bizarre and comic events. Frankel's character, a master at body language, is exceptionally amusing placed in this plot where his expert ability to read thoughts - and to transmit them - through body language, is nullified by Katie's ESP.

The biggest flaw is where Katie at times can appear to read thoughts without seeing the person she's reading, although if you don't get caught up in the 'technicalities', it doesn't detract from the splendour of the film. It's a thought provoking film for anyone who ever thought "I wish I could tell what he/she is thinking", and perhaps even makes one analyse one's own thoughts".

DJ Steve Wright is quoted on the VHS cover as saying it's nearly as funny as Four Weddings and a Funeral. I didn't particularly like that film. I suspect our American friends may find it more amusing than most of the English. If you watch this film, think about the conflict between body language and thoughts.

I watched this back in 96 (I think) on VHS. I was a student in those days, and Richard Curtis style romantic comedies based in twee shire towns or fantasy London Boroughs populated, of course, by loveable English middle class eccentrics, were still pretty much in vogue.

Solitaire for 2 differs slightly from the norm because our leading lady, Katie (Amanda Pays), happens to be a psychic with the uncanny ability to read minds. This makes forging a relationship rather difficult, given that she can finish other peoples sentences before they do and knows exactly what others (especially men, wink wink) are thinking.

As a premise, it's not a bad one. Unfortunately, rather than driving the plot, Katie's talent (or curse) quickly becomes a one trick pony that tires after half an hour. Katie may be attractive, and whilst the plot does raise issues about female objectification and male desire, I think it's a bit steep to assume that *every* bloke she meets would want to automatically sleep with her?

If anyone's interested, there's a cameo by long forgotten British band Right Said Fred. Otherwise there's little else to recommend an wearisome romcom that quickly outstays its welcome.

A copybook example of why the British film industry is in a dreadful mess. Trite script mouthed by clever-clever cast, dull direction and unsympathetic characterisation, the list is endless. In here somewhere is a half decent movie idea - a character that can hear people thinking (What Women Want, anyone?)..but synor blows it. Avoid.

In England, Daniel and Lucy are living together, but one day Lucy decides (while we listen to depressing classical music) that it's time to go.

Daniel teaches professionals about body language. We first see him at work in a place called The Self Centre. And paleontologist Katie happens to be there that day, speaking to a group of scientists. Daniel is attracted to her, but Katie keeps hitting him every time he flirts with her.

The truth is that Katie wants a man, but she knows what they are all thinking. And she's tired of men who are only interested in her appearance. She wants men to like her for her intelligence.

Daniel keeps getting pulled over for speeding by the same female cop. Katie's co-worker Sandip Tamar, at what appears to be a large university, seems to appreciate her for her mind.

Will Daniel ever find a woman? Will Katie ever find a man? Will they end up with each other?

Harry is Daniel's best friend, and he is married to Caroline; they have a daughter Clare. Parris is one of Daniel's more nervous students.

I thought this was intelligently written, and Amanda Pays gave one of the better performances out of a fine cast. Katie didn't always react in the expected ways, and this was more than just a formula movie. This might not appeal to those who enjoy mindless sitcoms and popular films that the critics hate. But it might just work for those who go to independent theaters to see films no one ever heard of.

There was a lot of good classical music, though I didn't necessarily like all the music there was. Some of the music was contemporary, high-energy pop.

A couple of scenes stand out, even if they weren't laugh-out-loud funny. In one, we can hear the thoughts of all the lecherous men in one bookshop. I don't know Katie's reaction because that's one of the times the sound went out. In another, there are balloons and the band Right Said Fred. I'd rather not say what that was all about, because it could be considered a spoiler.

For me, this was a challenge to watch, because it could be boring at times, but there was enough here to make it satisfying.

This film was quite fun. It is similar in some respects to a more recent swathe of this genre specialising in over the top humour, but in this case without completely loosing a sense of normality. For example in a later film by Gary Sinyor called "The Bachelor", an army of brides chase the leading man. In this film there are some 'situations' like this, the hostage taking for example. The difference here though is that the scenes do not depart entirely from reality because the incredible side of the situation remains connected more or less entirely with the roles of each part. In other words it is the characters who see the extraordinary and incredible as opposed to in other films where the viewer sees the same as 'matter of fact' e.g. 1000 women in wedding dresses. Personally I prefer this in some ways though typically the other, near slapstick lunacy has its place. Notably in this particular case it is not simply because the plot is therefore more down to earth and as a result engaging but also that it makes sense in terms of the subject matter; being able to read minds has little bearing on the solitude of love and then the crazy situations we can find ourselves in when attempting to pursue the object of one's affection.

Another review on IMDb points out that the leading lady appears to have a chip on her shoulder. There is a reason for this which should be fairly straight forward to pick up,.. as the cover and tag line perhaps indicate she has esp and is surrounded by men with rather lurid thoughts. This facet of the story is used to create fantastically embarrassing situations which overall appear to be applied in order that the viewer can draw a better picture of how the character thinks.

While this film is not really anything truly special I spent quite some time looking for a way to obtain the soundtrack to this film. I really like the saxophone solo and some of the other instrumental parts. Unfortunately I could not find it and contacting David A. Hughes directly is not as easy as popping to a music store.