Film Reviews by PL

We've watched several films by Patrice Leconte in recent weeks - all exceptionally good films combining intelligence, wit, insight, surprise and humour.

Intimate Strangers is the antithesis of an action movie but the script is compelling throughout, the 2 central characters developing their unusual relationship in a most touching way and subsidiary roles are cast perfectly. If you like French films, you will love this.

A beautiful, broadly paced film. Affectionate but tempered with brief moments of domestic violence. An evocative soundtrack of (mostly) popular song is far more than a soundtrack - it becomes an essential part of the film with the actor/singers sharing joys and sadness in a way far removed from today' approach to music-making.

Highly recommended.

My wife and I found this the most beautiful, touching and sensitive exploration of love at the centre (or not) of family life in a rural Irish village. We were left with tears in our eyes.

The dialogue is mostly in Irish Gaelic (subtitled - although telling moments revert to English) but don't let that put you off. The acting is superb from all. Highly recommended is an understatement.

Poor Judi Dench. She tried her best to maintain some credibility in this film but surrounded by otherwise unconvincing acting, direction and plot, there was little to enjoy.

My most positive comments would be concerning frequent moments of humour - always unintentional unfortunately.

I try to be as objective and broad minded as possible in commenting on any film but I was struggling with this one.

A wonderful film. Touching, nostalgic, brilliantly acted.

This should be very high on your list of must-sees.

A wonderful film which many have already spoken about eloquently. I wouldn't agree with cinema paradiso's description of the film as a comedy, although it's full of comic moments. Those with a sensitive disposition might find the finale a bit of a shock.

However, if you've not already seen this film, put it high on your wishlist. It's a compelling examination of the lives of the 'haves and have-nots' and one is left wondering who exactly the parasites are.

At well over 3 hrs, you might find better things to do with your time. Knowing in advance that the film was long, I was prepared to pace myself. However, an hour in, I was close to calling it a day. At 2 hours in the film began to exert some grip and the cyclical approach towards the end was quite satisfying. Throughout though, the quasi home-made style, overall eccentricity and camp humour are swamped by the films tedious length.

Lacking editorial scissors.

An odd film but engaging for the excellent performances throughout and the (sort of) credible tale being narrated by John Hurt. Whether you enjoy the exaggerated elements in characterisation will be personal. I found myself enjoyably carried through the 2 hours although the final climactic scene is stretched to excess. Some darkly violent moments and an overall cloud of gloom suggest the hero's acute sense of smell is not necessarily something to be blessed with.

- a beautiful film, the dislocated time-line demanding some concentration but amply rewarded. Excellent performances all-round. The sort of film which gets to the heart rather than tickling the edges.

There was a time when this might have been considered a cool and humorous glimpse of sexual taboos. Alas, time has not been kind to this film which now is so dated, unprovocatively un-pc and simply not funny. Gene Wilder briefly brings a smile to the Sheep sketch but otherwise there are better ways to spend 90 minutes.