Lucy

This film could have been so good - but it wasn't. I enjoyed the books very much - the funny yet heartfelt characters, the humour, the local setting of Kent/Sussex. Unfortunately this Netflix dross didn't match any of this, apart from the occasional chuckle. Coopers Chase, the retirement complex, was ridiculously opulent (obviously made to look like Downton Abbey for US viewers), there was no sense of being in Kent, but the worst thing was the script. So clunky and obvious. The stellar cast of actors did their best, but even they weren't great. Pierce Brosnan in particular was totally miscast and looked and sounded like an Irish version of Kenny Rogers. He can't do a London accent to save his life. I read that he thought "this part is for Ray Winstone, not me." Yep. The plot was as convoluted and silly as the book, but the books are popular because of the characters. And these characters were poorly served, particularly Bogdan. I nearly switched off after 45 minutes but somehow we managed to sit through it hoping it would improve. It didn't, but the relationship between Elizabeth and Stephen was well done - I guess you can't go wrong with Helen Mirren and Jonathan Pryce! Joyce too was well portrayed by Celia Imrie, although one does have to wonder how a retired nurse could afford to live in a place like Coopers Chase.

The cinematography is absolutely gorgeous, lots of black and white arty shots. But it's a case of style over substance. Andrew Scott is interesting to watch as always, but the other actors are wooden and stilted and the script is dull. I should say that the 1999 film is one of my favourite films ever, but I came to this with an open mind hoping to find a different angle. It's incredibly slow paced and I would rather read the book (again) than sit through 8 episodes of arty shots. Sorry!

Self indulgent sentimental twaddle without a plot. Loved the way it was shot though. The little boy was great. Jamie Dornan was something to look at. The grandparent scenes made me cringe a little. Thank god for Van Morrison!

Dull and plodding with very little tension. The young boy was the best performance and the twist at the end was the best bit, but I nearly gave up after 1 hour. I would like to read the book though - I bet it's actually good. How this and Belfast got more Oscar nominations than Passing, I don't know.

A clever, at times funny, romantic thriller. Quite retro in its appeal with two great leads.

Beautifully shot and thought provoking

Dreadful script, the actors looked almost embarrassed by some of their lines. An attempt at a British Amelie that fell utterly flat as it was so boring and humourless. We only got halfway through I'm afraid. The weird inventor telling her it would be rude to refuse to come to his house so he could show her his inventions! Yuk.