Sunshine on Leith

Although I'm a Scot, I'm not a particular fan of the Proclaimers on whose songs this film musical is based. That said it's impossible to be Scottish and unaware of their music - there was even recent talk of their biggest hit "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)" being the new national anthem. I'd describe their music as simple, tuneful and colloquial, unashamed of either the Scottish vernacular or Scottish accent in putting across a song.

This filmed version of the surprise hit stage musical makes good use of the Edinburgh and Leith locations and also employs a largely local cast to help give the story the required local flavour. The biggest names in the cast are Peter Mullen and Jane Horrocks as the silver anniversary-celebrating parents with the latter, who we remember from "Little Voice" not unsurprisingly carrying off a tune better. The rest of the young cast however also display good singing ability and inject enthusiasm and energy into their parts.

The story is relatively straightforward, with a Scottish "On The Town" tilt to it as two young Scottish soldiers return from a tour of Afghanistan to pick up the pieces of their lives in their home town, with romance unsurprisingly in the air as you'd expect in an upbeat singalong musical like this, with an extra twist as one of their parents' apparently rock solid marriage hits a crisis just as they run up to a major anniversary.

All three central relationships in the film work themselves out as best they can, helped along every ten minutes or so by another Reid Brothers song (watch out for their own brief cameo early in the film) and they even manage to work their best song, in my opinion "Letter From America" a song about the Highland Clearances into the narrative.

All in all, I found the movie a pleasant surprise, even the songs I didn't know made a good impression plus I enjoyed the familiar (to me) locations of Auld Reekie.

I perhaps wouldn't walk 500 miles to see it but it filled an enjoyable enough 100 minutes of my Friday night I will say.

Sunshine on Leith is an enjoyable, exuberant film musical that is based on the songs of The Proclaimers. It tells the story of two young Scottish soldiers who return to their families in Edinburgh after serving in Afghanistan. What awaits each of them is an unsettled future during which they are forced to confront a number of issues that make it difficult to rehabilitate themselves successfully into civilian life: the need to secure employment (they find temporary work in a call centre); feelings of guilt at returning home in good physical shape when a friend of theirs who served with them sustained severe injuries and is having to contend with the loss of both legs; trying to rekindle their neglected love lives; having to cope with the revelation of family secrets that in the case of one of the ex-soldiers puts pressure on his parents' marriage; and the problems of simply being welcomed and accepted by friends and family after a long absence. None of these issues is dealt with in anything other than a superficial and sentimental manner. But that does not really matter all that much.

The cast, which includes Jane Horrocks and Peter Mullan, is very good. The cinematography is first rate (Edinburgh looks stunning), as are the staging of the set-piece routines and the choreography. And we even get a brief, Hitchcock-like cameo appearance by The Proclaimers themselves, who are seen near the start of the film emerging from an Edinburgh pub. The music is uneven. Two of the most notable Proclaimers numbers - "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)" and "Letter from America" - are delivered in a much more muted and less punchy style than their original versions, which somehow seems unsatisfactory. From my personal perspective, there is also one underlying problem with Sunshine on Leith, that is incapable of resolution. I do not think that film is the right medium for musicals. I often enjoy musical shows that are performed in the theatre. But I simply cannot come to terms with them in the cinema. The transition from spoken dialogue to singing seems to me to be unnatural and mildly clumsy on celluloid in a way that does not appear to be the case on stage. (I feel the same about opera!) That problem aside, Sunshine on Leith is an engaging film, albeit one that is unlikely to live long in the memory. 6/10.

If your a drab and miserable hard hearted person this film is NOT for you. Also if you don't like the music of the proclaimers I wouldn't bother.

Im 24 years of age, and watched this on an extremely personal emotional day for me and as much as it added to my tears of sadness and heartbreak at parts , it added to my laughter and joy with real cheese and then elation of following dreams and going after what you believe in, its a real pick and mix film with ultimate highs to lows.

Yes it is quite cheesy but when you have "lets get married" by the proclaimers thrown in you expect nothing less. I think as a fan of the proclaimers they have managed to include the music by the lads in the film without turning it into simply a "musical" they have balanced the music and story to a tee. music nor storyline taking over. very cleverly done.

I actually enjoyed all of the actors, and as much as I found it weird to hear other people sing the proclaimers songs I think they all done extremely well.. and how the screenwriters tied in different scenes to one song was fabulous. The only thing I did find slightly off putting was watching Jane horrocks having seen her in so many adverts dramas & TV programmes with a broad English accent it was odd, BUT in saying that she done a sterling job.

As much as it isn't a blockbuster hit, its a genuine warmth hit to the heart and for that I will watch this film when ever I feel low to re inspire me. It may be not for you? It may be... but if your not sure at least take the chance.. I must admit I slightly underestimated it... so I was not left disappointed.

I rate it a 9 fab music, actors, singers and dancers and I commend the fact yes its cheesy and a roller coaster of emotions but the accents are genuine and NOT over done to the point your cringing while watching river city.

I'm not a fan of musicals. I'm not quite sure why I should enjoy watching people sing their conversations instead of having a straightforward, impassioned talk. Sunshine on Leith isn't that kind of musical.

Sunshine on Leith is cheesy, predictable and I had a fab time watching it! Adapted for the big screen, from his own stage play, by Stephen Greenhorn, Sunshine on Leith will be known by many as the Scottish comedy rammed to the gills with The Proclaimers' songs. The twins even enjoy a brief stroll in front of the camera and I found myself having a private game of Which Proclaimers' song comes next? in the cinema.

Three soldiers return home to Scotland after a tour of duty and try to adapt to life on civvy street. While Davy (George Mackay) goes home to mum, Jean (Jane Horricks), dad, Rab (Peter Mullan), and sister, Liz (Freya Mavor), his best friend Ally (Kevin Guthrie), who is dating Liz, stays with his sister's family. On a celebratory night out, Davy hooks up with his sister's friend, Yvonne (Antonia Thomas) and over the next few months we watch as three relationships (Jean & Rab, Ally & Liz and Davy & Yvonne) evolve and deal with the challenges life throws at them.

I'll be honest (as always), Sunshine on Leith is not a great film. There are occasional moments of ropey acting, it is difficult not to grimace at some of the circumstances, it all flows and finishes entirely too easily, there are far too many avenues hinted at but never explored, I'm pretty sure it's not a fair representation of Scotland and it's far from being an accurate portrayal of squaddies returning from warzones.

In terms of feel good films, it's out of step with the likes of The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel and lacks the gritty charm of Ken Loach's little seen but superb The Angels' Share. There is an entire subplot starring the latter's Paul Brannigan as Ronnie, the third of the trio of soldiers, that is hinted at but not fully explored, as if time was of the essence and director Dexter Fletcher felt the need to excise him for pace, and it leaves us wondering why he was left in the film at all.

But, gripes aside, this is an entertaining, inoffensive, thoroughly enjoyable experience that doesn't need detailed analysis. Take it as it is, lap it up, feel good about yourself and then move on.

Peter Mullan and Jane Horrocks, though not a couple one would automatically think to put together, play perfectly against each other as the couple nearing their silver wedding anniversary. Knowing the musical talent that brought Horrocks to the fore, it is an almost agonizing wait for her to be given her chance to sing but you'll be satisfied to know she has a few moments in the limelight. Though Mullan may not be a natural singer, he handles his numbers very well and there is no danger of him 'doing' a Peirce Brosnan (in Mamma Mia!) or Russell Crowe (in Les Misérables).

The central trio of MacKay, Guthrie and Mavor gel well, hold the attention, engage us and bounce well off each other, but the jaw-on-the-floor performer here is Antonia Thomas. She has been sorely missing from my life since she moved on from the dark, twisted and utterly fantastic Misfits and it's good to see her back on screen after such an absence. She performs well and is the equal of her peers here but when she sings… Wow!

There are more than sufficient high points in Sunshine on Leith to forgive all the missed opportunities and false starts. Given the choice, I would embrace another twenty doses of Sunshine on Leith than a single, torturous repeat experience of Les Misérables.

It was an eight star film when I emerged that settled comfortably into a six star once the euphoria had subsided. Sweet, fun, very enjoyable indeed, Sunshine on Leith is sure to be an absolutely huge hit with the 'only go to the cinema once a year' brigade. When the nights grow dark and cold this is a very good reason to venture out and warm your soul.

This film is a series of interconnected situations regarding relationships, all based in the same family. Davy and Ally come back from combat, to seemingly the delight of everyone. Ally looks to rekindle his relationship with Liz, who is Davy's sister. Davy meets Liz's best friend Yvonne and they begin a relationship. Liz and Davy's parents Rab and Jean appear very happy about this. There, however, are secrets and actions that threaten to undermine all of the relationships. When the film is set to songs by the Scottish group The Proclaimers (American audiences will know them from their big hit 500 Miles (I'm Gonna Be),sung by the characters and others joining in, the movie is wonderful, it is vibrant and fun, along with sad and even heartbreaking. When the stories are told without music the movie falters, since it becomes almost like a soap opera. However, look past those moments and bask in the great city of Edinburgh and sing along if you can. Its those moments that make this film really worthwhile.