Lynda Simons

I’m afraid this jumble of incoherent images was just too subtle for me. I don’t understand why everyone thinks it’s a masterpiece. It seems like a case of the king’s new clothes to me. At 11 years of age, Sophie seems like a healthy, happy, well put together kid who takes everything in stride. We only see adult Sophie for a few minutes. How everybody gets all the extra information from what I just saw is beyond me.

I loved the H.E. Bates novels, I loved The Darling Buds of May, and now I love The Larkins. I’m so glad I didn’t read the negative reviews before watching and was astonished to find them when I did think to look. I have my old DVDs of The Darling Buds, but they are really showing their age. And some of the writing and story choices don’t sit well now. But this 2021 version fixes those issues and is better visually with locations and cinematography that show off the English countryside. The negative reviewers obviously just don’t get it. But, if you love the original novels, I think you’ll enjoy this adaptation.

So many treasures in this movie that makes fun of its genre while still being totally true to it. Little mention is given to Pip, the chipmunk, who has many of the best lines in the movie, which is no mean feat, given that he loses his power of speech upon leaving Andalasia for Manhattan. My favourite scene is the big production number in Central Park. It begins with Giselle (Amy Adams) embarrassing Robert (Patrick Dempsey) by breaking into song and just keeps growing. However grumpy you’re feeling, I defy you not to feel 100% cheerful after watching this one scene, 46 minutes into the movie. The scenes with Giselle and Robert’s little daughter, Morgan, are touching and funny too, starting with with Morgan’s line, “I have something better than a Fairy Godmother.”