Watch Song for Marion For Free

Just perfect...

Great example of an old-fashioned, pure-at-heart escapist event movie that doesn't pretend to be anything that it's not and has boat loads of fun being its own ludicrous self.

The storyline feels a little thin and moth-eaten in parts but this sequel is plenty of fun.

It is encouraging that the film ends so strongly.Otherwise, it wouldn't have been a particularly memorable film

Yet another of those British films desperate to repeat the "quirky comedy mixed with emotional scenes" formula of hits such as The Full Monty, Brassed Off, Notting Hill etc.In these films people say things which people never say in real life, and do things which people never do in real life. These things, however, are never quite so preposterous as to be questioned by the ho-ho-ho middle-aged, middle-class Brits who a) write this drivel and b) these films are aimed at.Will the father and son be reconciled in the end? OOOOH! What suspense!

........I think that sums up the style and feel of this lovely little film. As Christopher Ecclestone says in the DVD interviews- this film is about the change in a man, and his redemption- a little like Christmas Carol-which of course was the inspiration for Its a Wonderful Life. This film is not in such broad a scope as those two films, but the emotions it conjures in the heart of the viewers are the same. Its all about spirit, overcoming self defeat and the harmony that can be achieved through social pathways.Good film, great script/direction by Paul Andrew Williams (A Fellow Pompey boy).-I wish it had had a few Oscar nods?-towards Stamp or Redgrave but-it was generally well received.More please Mr Williams.

I loved this charming movie. I read it had some "sentiment" (*gasp*). I'd dispute that, and say while it had some warm glow moments- they were not properly "sentiment," if by sentiment one means a deceptive and false attempt to manipulate the audience through cheap set-ups. This was honest and truly heartfelt. A work of art, if I may use such a pretentious word.Admittedly, a few of the scenes in the Community Center depicted the OAPs as "mascots" of a sort. But the powerhouse performances of Terrance Stamp Venessa Redgrave and Gemma Aterton truly and firmly outshone any and all conceivable "cuteness" that might have crept in around the elderly character contingent. The number four character, played by Christopher Eccleston was solid, and the little Orla Hill as the granddaughter was absolutely charming, believable, and delightfully real. Nothing "hokey" in any of those character portrayals.Stamp and Redgrave were expected to be great, and they were. Gemma Aterton was a bit of a surprise. She is lovely (hot, actually), but here she not only looks good, she submits a masterful performance. She portrayed a truly worthy and compassionate person. She was much more than "dressing" for the screen- her character's intuitive and loving relational skills were in fact the mechanism that allowed Stamp and Redgrave to do their bit as well. And I think her character could not have seemed that way to the full extent that it did if Aterton the actor didn't have those same traits herself.The movie was as much about Aterton's intriguing and appealing character as it was about the "central" people- the two oldies. And that takes some serious and genuine acting talent. I hope to see Aterton acting in more roles that feature her adorable nature and great depth- she could be a true star of the first order.

There's nothing exceptional in this movie, except the way it reflects life, which can be indeed unexceptional but intense at the same time. Everyone who has experienced the loss of a dear one, or simply everyone who can feel cannot but enjoy a movie like this. So the saddest side is counterbalanced by the happiest side of life, I cried and laughed and in the end I enjoyed the picture. The story is simple and predictable but it also manages to embrace the most important feelings of life very simply. Probably a little unrealistic in the way the main character evolves, since it is rather improbable for an old man to abandon his morose nature, it is however to appreciate the belief that there's always hope for everyone and that it is never to late to make things right. The cast is great, Vanessa Redgrave proves superb as she is always, but also Terence Stamp offers a very touching performance. The closing dedication "to family" gives an idea of what the movie wanted to communicate, without ever sounding pretentious or mawkish.