Ensofter Overrated and overhyped

ChanFamous I wanted to like it more than I actually did... But much of the humor totally escaped me and I walked out only mildly impressed.

Sameer Callahan It really made me laugh, but for some moments I was tearing up because I could relate so much.

Francene Odetta It's simply great fun, a winsome film and an occasionally over-the-top luxury fantasy that never flags.

Rich Wright Observe the common tearjerker. Check out our characters: A sad old gruff (Terence Stamp) with no joy in his heart, and his jolly terminally ill wife who sings in a local pensioners choir. Old people? SINGING?! BAH HUMBUG!! The young choir master, played by Gemma Arterton, encourages him to sit and watch, but nope. He'd rather sip his tea, or play a stimulating game of dominoes. He's got problems of his own too... Like a fractious relationship with his son. He NEVER told his lad "I love you". Isn't it sad? *SNIFF*After the elderly glee club get themselves onstage and murder songs like Let's Talk About Sex, wearing stupid costumes with much facial gurning, they somehow impress a judge who puts them through to some national finals. Sadly, and not at all predictably, the grouch's wife dies before the big day arrives. Hmm... Who'll take her place... Could it be a) Lord Lucan b) Mr Majeika or c) The Living Embodiment Of Scrooge Himself. Place your bets now...It's admirable in a way, the plot throws up artificial contrivances then snuffs them out a few minutes later in an equally asinine way . Like the scene towards the end, when the oldies choir is kicked out of the competition JUST before going on stage... because the organisers don't want to be accused of 'dumbing down'. Well, on that score I CAN agree with them, but... why bother sending down a guy to judge them and why invite them all the way to the big event, only to inform them of their disqualification just before the performance?ANSWER: Because the movie needed a BIG MOMENT of Terence Stamp rebelling, forcing his way onto the stage, all his fellow pensioners in tow. And of course, despite blatantly ignoring their instructions, the organisers let them proceed. It's just bad scriptwriting, where the ends justifies the means no matter how unconvincing the execution is. A better film would have found a way of pushing all the right buttons, without all this film-flammery.And guess who's in the audience cheering on his dad, after receiving a 'surprise' package in the post containing all the old photographs of him having fun with his pater when he was just a nipper, proving ONCE AND FOR ALL he was 'loved'? Is it: a) Elvis b) Puff The Magi... Oh, what the heck, you know the rest. So anyway, as you may have guessed, I'm not exactly the intended audience for this blubfest, which is supposed to looked on with an uncritical eye by those who want to have a good ol' sob into their duvet. Those of more clear thinking are advised to put their faculties on hold for the duration, lest you end up spoiling the entire story for yourself by predicting everything in advance. It isn't difficult.On the plus side, it's nice to see so many actors and actresses of er, 'senior years' being given a chance, despite the fact most of the time they're just in the background, miming terribly. And it's impossible to dislike any aspect of the movie to be honest, after all... It's intentions are good. It just all feels like they're going through the motions rather than giving us anything of substance, and I came away feeling as hollow as an Easter egg.I haven't got a heart of stone, I HAVE enjoyed stuff like this before. See Brassed Off for details. This is just risk-free, no frills, playing to the gallery fluff in comparison. 5/10

dbdumonteil This could be one of the saddest story in the world;it is not:although Marion is terminally-ill ,she is still full of Joie De Vivre :singing helps her through the night ,and keeps her alive much better than any religion would do.The movie is not melodrama,it's not a tear-jerker although at least two of its scenes bring tears to your eyes.This is a musical ,and the songs perfectly fit the story.In their two renditions ("true colors" and "lullaby" (goodnight ,my angel) ,the two legends of the English cinema inject more real emotion into the lyrics than you might think possible.(In a movie ,only Meryl Streep had impressed me so much with her "he's my pal" in "ironweed").Gemma Aterton's performance compares favorably with the two giants':she 's got plenty of go ,she's so warm,so generous ,so nice it's hard to believe a man walked out on her.SPOILER AHEAD :as for Marion,she is so endearing a character that when she passes away,halfway through the film, we have the rare feeling of missing ,not the actress,but the person herself ,as though we had lost one of our very best friends.And this final song ,sung by her husband,is a song of redemption:Arthur opened up,he is alive again ,more than when Marion was still with him .And for the first time since she died ,he sleeps peacefully in their bed.Against the trend ,although it throws new light on senior citizens (they are not always singing Beethoven and "respectable" works) ,"A song for Marion" is a great moment of true emotion.

domdel39 Predictable. Very predictable. Very enjoyable. I don't find myself saying that very often. Predictability can kill a film's momentum - its' impact. I guess the lesson here is - if you have a predictable script, make sure that you hire Vanessa Redgrave and Terrence Stamp as the leads. Got it? Good. From the first time we see them, the elderly coupling of Redgrave and Stamp seems perfect. Though they do make an odd couple - she full of life, he down in the permanent dumps - never did I question their being together. There is a comfort between them, an ease in each other's presence that immediately conjures up a whole history. Amazing. Fine supporting work all around - particularly by Gemma Arterton as the young, perky singing teacher. Handling both comic and dramatic moments with ease, Gemma lights up the screen and more than holds her own opposite those two heavyweights of the British screen. At a crisp 93 minutes, all the fat has been trimmed. Keep a tissue handy.

Sxz King This film is really touching. I seldom feel anything so deep for the usual commercial films. This one is much different, death is involved (old people), songs are there, deep feelings.When you see old people, of course, you'd love to help, but here, much more is done for them. And what would you expect from old people, awaiting death? They certainly made a great piece of work with this film. Actors did a great job. All natural. It's definitely a MUST-WATCH. Good for married couples and families.No foul language used. Nothing offensive.It's not a film about old people, it is just a film showing how the elderly can live better and how we can make them laugh, and enjoy their last moments, with their families, happily.