Rencontre au sommet

This movie premiered on dutch television tonight (I think it also premiered on the BBC and HBO, nicely in time for the next G8 meeting). Without giving anything away with regard to the plot, this is a very nice movie that combines a personal love story with ideals and politics. Bill Nighy is absolutely fabulous in the lead, and it is his performance that carries this film, although it has to be said that Kelly Macdonald also more than holds her own.

Even though the material is pretty contemporary, and one'd be tempted to think it might not age well because of that, I think the story is universal enough to stand up to the test of time. Recommended for anyone that likes their movies slow, touching and real.

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.

A beautiful and moving film. I didn't know what it was about as the trailer didn't reveal much other than the relationship between Nighy and McDonald so I was thinking it was just a gentle love story, a British 'Lost in Translation'.

But what transpired was so much more than that. I thought the way the enormous issue of global poverty and the few people who hold the political power to affect change was dealt with intelligently and sensitively and interwoven poignantly with the strange romance developing between the two leads.

I'm not too familiar with the background of the film but I would hazard a guess that the seeds of the project were sown when Richard Curtis wrote 'Love Actually' which included a subplot where the British PM (Hugh Grant) publicly opposed policies brought forward by the American president (Billy Bob Thornton).

Since 'Love Actually' was a light-hearted romantic comedy, the politics were never elaborated on but I'm sure that 'The Girl in the Cafe' was the opportunity for Curtis to put this topical issue into terms that anyone could understand and empathise with. The timing, of course, is impeccable, with the G8 summit to be held in Scotland within 2 weeks and widespread attention of the summit brought to the masses by Sir Bob Geldof and the simultaneous Live 8 series of concerts.

It goes without saying that the performances of the two leads are spot-on, Bill Nighy is the king of understated pathos as Lawrence and Kelly McDonald is gracious as the mysterious but steely Gina.

The film is shot in (literally) cool locations and makes a fantastic ad for the chilled aloofness that is Reykjavik.

But at the heart of this love story are the nameless, faceless millions who suffer daily and the ease with which this fact is taken as statistic. Africa has never before been on the forefront of social issues as it is today and to anyone who might be under the impression that poverty is an issue for politicians to sort out around the conference table, 'The Girl in the Cafe' is a potent reminder that the power to affect change is more immediate than we might think. Superb.

Make Poverty History

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.

WOW! I just watched an absolutely brilliant film on HBO tonight. "The Girl in the Cafe" stars Bill Nighy and Kelly Macdonald in what I am sure will be one of the very best films of the year.

The film will, with 100% certainty, appeal to those who loved "Lost in Translation" and it will probably resonate with many of those who didn't like the characters in that film as much as the rest of us.

The two characters in this film are adorable, seemingly mismatched and yet a perfect relationship forms. Nighy & Macdonald deliver Oscar worthy performances... it is shame that this TV movie won't qualify!!! The film is also rife with political intelligence at it is set against the backdrop of a summit being held in Reykjavik, Iceland.

This is a spectacular screenplay, delicately balanced and bittersweet, insightful and poignant.

THE GIRL IN THE CAFE is superb in every way.

Look for it on HBO right now!!! I believe it plays twice on the 28th and will assuredly be repeated many times this month!!!