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frankieroberto
Reviews
The Unexpected Mrs. Pollifax (1999)
The Unexpected Cameo
This film itself was nothing special. I watched it from in bed early in the morning. The old-lady-as-amateur-spy is nothing really new, and the plot possibilities this could have given weren't really realised. Mrs Pollifax is played well, but the character has an annoying habit of talking to herself.
The best bit of the film is the unexpected cameo/appearance of TV-star Daisy Donovan, who suprisingly isn't listed in the credits on imdb. She doesn't do much other than look pretty, but let's face it, that's quite enough - she's lovely.
Meet the Parents (2000)
Non-funny farce
A very weak farce, which doesn't have a plot so much as a serious of gags. With no real characters, the film is just an excuse to show embarrassing scenes of complete destruction. Lots of the scenes and situations are contrived, and it's full of throw-away one-liners (who on earth names their son 'gaylord focker'?). The ending is sickly sweet and unrealistic (if I was him I'd have run a mile, with or without her, a lot lot earlier, and never return).
Don't watch it. No, don't!
Birthday Girl (2001)
Down-to-earth brit-flick
I didn't really know what to expect when going out to watch the film, apart from the slightly surreal basic plotline that a lonely man orders a Russian bride over the internet. That and it had Nicole Kidman in it. I absolutely loved the film though, and came out thinking 'wow'.
Refreshingly down to earth, the film moves along nicely, with a few suprises at each corner. The relationships in the film are believeable, with Nicole and Chaplin working against each other beautifully. The humour is subtle, with some great 'Office'-like scenes at the bank, and the thriller element add tension without being Hollywood.
Overall the film is about real people in an unusual situation. It's less about heroics and more about delicate relationships. Brit-filmmaking at its best...
(9/10)