I seen this at the video store but passed it by because I thought it was the typical Sarah Michelle-Melissa Joan-Freddie Prinze-Katie Holmes type of romantic comedy. I didn't realize it was a British movie(otherwise I might have given it a second look at the video store) and caught it on cable. I was pleasantly surprised by the acting. I liked the fact that it didn't go the typical sex route, although I didn't think about that until the movie was over. I was pleasantly surprised that it was a British film, it seemed more in the Hollywood vein, not as dark and gritty as a lot of British cinema. The mood of the film was cheerful, upbeat and somewhat witty. I particularly liked the technique of going back in the story to fill in the gaps of the storyline. It reminded me of an old fashioned type of movie; and I have to admit the lead actress did remind me of a Julia Roberts type. Very entertaining.
44 Reviews
Fun and romantic - seems right for the genre
mjw230522 January 2007
Martha (Monica Potter) is single, sexy and she's so sick of her life she's off to London with the last of her money.
Daniel (Tom Hollander) is single, successful and after one look at Martha he thinks he's in love. Frank (Rufus Sewell) is one of Daniel's friends, despite the fact he is always trying to get one up on him. Lawrence (Joseph Fiennes) is another of Daniel's friends, and he is always caught between Frank and Daniel as they jostle for supremacy.
The casing and script are both strong, and the feel of the movie is nice and original, even with the usual clichés in the romance element. It's funny, it's romantic and it has sex appeal for both men and ladies, so obviously its worth a watch; if you don't try it, you'll never know.
7/10
Daniel (Tom Hollander) is single, successful and after one look at Martha he thinks he's in love. Frank (Rufus Sewell) is one of Daniel's friends, despite the fact he is always trying to get one up on him. Lawrence (Joseph Fiennes) is another of Daniel's friends, and he is always caught between Frank and Daniel as they jostle for supremacy.
The casing and script are both strong, and the feel of the movie is nice and original, even with the usual clichés in the romance element. It's funny, it's romantic and it has sex appeal for both men and ladies, so obviously its worth a watch; if you don't try it, you'll never know.
7/10
Sweet and frothy
slmstanley20 July 2000
I happened to flick across the beginning of this film last night on cable. I missed the title, but saw "Joesph Fiennes", "Rufus Sewell", and "Ray Winstone" - and decided it was worth a look.
Though the beginning was a tad slow (the first five minutes makes you think it's going to be very depressing), this is actually a sweet comedy about love and friendship and the nature of "love at first sight".
Joesph Fiennes is heart-stoppingly beautiful, with his lovely puppy-dog eyes put to good use in his character as an overly-sensitive young man wedged between two aggressive friends who are less-than-sensitive.
I dislike most "romance" films; yet this one was different, for a reason I can't quite put my finger on. It tugs at your heart, and for all it's improbable situations (de rigeur in most romantic comedy), it rings true to life.
Definitely a good film for watching on a rainy afternoon.
Though the beginning was a tad slow (the first five minutes makes you think it's going to be very depressing), this is actually a sweet comedy about love and friendship and the nature of "love at first sight".
Joesph Fiennes is heart-stoppingly beautiful, with his lovely puppy-dog eyes put to good use in his character as an overly-sensitive young man wedged between two aggressive friends who are less-than-sensitive.
I dislike most "romance" films; yet this one was different, for a reason I can't quite put my finger on. It tugs at your heart, and for all it's improbable situations (de rigeur in most romantic comedy), it rings true to life.
Definitely a good film for watching on a rainy afternoon.
Cute and adorable!
Monika-510 June 2000
I will agree that this film was predictable in some ways, but had a few strategically placed plot twists that made up for it. Monica Potter is beautiful, funny and charming as the object of three lifelong friends' affection. I liked Joseph Fiennes in Shakespeare In Love but he's absolutely wonderful here. I didn't think he and Gwyneth Paltrow shared much chemistry in Shakespeare but here he has a warm and special chemistry with Ms. Potter. It really looks like they are in love, and I love the way when he repeated his ideal of the perfect woman, they filled in the gaps.
This is an underrated but enjoyable romance, along the lines of Sliding Doors.
This is an underrated but enjoyable romance, along the lines of Sliding Doors.
The spark is missing
jjnxn-111 May 2013
Passable romantic comedy with a few problems. First of all the direction is choppy and the story rather nonsensical which is often the case for a rom-com but they should be based in some sort of identifiable reality, this isn't. All that would be forgivable if you were enchanted by the central character. Monica Potter is a decent actress and what could best be described as goofy in the lead but to make this story of three men instantly captivated by one woman work that woman would have to be entrancing like a young Audrey Hepburn or Margaret Sullavan loaded with gossamer charm which Potter is not and it's a flaw that the movie can't overcome. None of the men are fleshed out but Fiennes does provide a suitably centered and conflicted protagonist, Tom Hollander and Rufus Sewell are wasted however.
Cute and funny but "useless"
Artêmis19 February 2000
I don't really know why I've written that this movie is useless. I think it's obvious that it won't change your mind or your life, won't make you cry or laugh (OK, you can smile sometimes), won't be successful, won't be anything. It's just a movie, an ordinary movie in such a competitive world.
Here in Brazil, a competitive place too, I went to one multiplex (I hope that's the name for these theatres with 7, 8, 9 (...) screens there) to watch "Teaching Mrs. Tingle" (I'm really embarrassed now). Unfortunately, the movie was sold-out, I had already watched "The Sixth Sense" twice, I really didn't want to watch "Bowfinger", the teen-trash "American Pie" again, the horrible "End of Days", and the most horrible "Letters from a killer". So, I tried the unique "watch-able" movie there, the unique romance, the unique that still had some tickets in that competitive world: "Martha, Meet Frank, Daniel and Laurence".
The Brazilian name, "Mero Acaso" (in a free translation, Mere Chance or Pure Fate) is one good summary for this movie about one American woman that moves to England and, by fate, develop three relationships with three guys. These three guys are friends but they don't know that they're seeing the same woman. Interesting? Not very much.
In fact, the original title tells the story. I watched it without knowing that she would meet the three, so really enjoyed. It was relaxing, fast, cute, romantic but like films made for television. No big plot, no big camera moves, no big cast, no big musics, no big budget... (although some of the best movies I've ever seen were very cheap). And it had some awful stereotypes: the American girl was blond, feminist, modern, on (bad) fashion, colored, with a huge suitcase. The British guy was shy, out of fashion, polite, bla, bla, bla. It's perfect to watch at your house eating popcorn.
The truth is that I'm lucky. This movie is much better that "Teaching Mrs. Tingle", at least. Thanks God that we live in a competitive world!
Here in Brazil, a competitive place too, I went to one multiplex (I hope that's the name for these theatres with 7, 8, 9 (...) screens there) to watch "Teaching Mrs. Tingle" (I'm really embarrassed now). Unfortunately, the movie was sold-out, I had already watched "The Sixth Sense" twice, I really didn't want to watch "Bowfinger", the teen-trash "American Pie" again, the horrible "End of Days", and the most horrible "Letters from a killer". So, I tried the unique "watch-able" movie there, the unique romance, the unique that still had some tickets in that competitive world: "Martha, Meet Frank, Daniel and Laurence".
The Brazilian name, "Mero Acaso" (in a free translation, Mere Chance or Pure Fate) is one good summary for this movie about one American woman that moves to England and, by fate, develop three relationships with three guys. These three guys are friends but they don't know that they're seeing the same woman. Interesting? Not very much.
In fact, the original title tells the story. I watched it without knowing that she would meet the three, so really enjoyed. It was relaxing, fast, cute, romantic but like films made for television. No big plot, no big camera moves, no big cast, no big musics, no big budget... (although some of the best movies I've ever seen were very cheap). And it had some awful stereotypes: the American girl was blond, feminist, modern, on (bad) fashion, colored, with a huge suitcase. The British guy was shy, out of fashion, polite, bla, bla, bla. It's perfect to watch at your house eating popcorn.
The truth is that I'm lucky. This movie is much better that "Teaching Mrs. Tingle", at least. Thanks God that we live in a competitive world!
Nobody suffers better than Joseph Fiennes
eschetic-212 March 2012
...and if you understand and agree with that statement, you're going to want to add a star to my rating; if not, you may need to see a few more of Fiennes' films from 1998. That was the year Fiennes was seen in this semi-charming romantic trifle, the costume epic ELIZABETH (as Robert Dudley with whom the title character had a complex relationship) and as the title character in the rare but deserving comedic Oscar winner, SH*KESPEARE IN LOVE (which also won Oscars for Gweneth Paltrow, his leading lady and Judy Dench as an older Queen Elizabeth - but then "new kid on the block" Fiennes wasn't even nominated).
The pace of THE VERY THOUGHT OF YOU - or, as it was originally called, "Martha - Meet Frank, Daniel and Laurence" (which can't quite decide if it's a "buddy film" or a romantic comedy) will drive some viewers up the wall, but those who stick with it for the joy of the contrasting boy/men buddies circling around the charming "Martha" and structure will be rewarded with a pat ending which is the very definition of a sure fire "date movie" - then go back and have a look at the hilarious WHAT'S UP DOC? that they stole it from.
The key to both the movie's success and failure is probably the casting of the four putative leads. "Martha," the film's "McGuffin" around which the thin plot turns is a generic blonde pixie indistinguishable from half a dozen delightful others, in this case Monica Potter, whose only problem is that there are too many other talented actresses just like her. The three best friends she meets and entrances are, in order, the blond, wealthy but shallow Daniel (Tom Hollander - more people probably saw him that year in support in the gay themed BEDROOMS AND HALLWAYS), author of the grand romantic gesture she will copy before the film's over, the struggling, competitive actor Frank (Rufus Sewell - a Tony nominee on Broadway for Tom Stoppard's ROCK & ROLL, here doing a remarkable imitation of a young Ian McShane!) and the insecure intellectual bridge instructor Lawrence (Fiennes). You'll know 30 seconds after she meets him who Martha's going to wind up with, but if the ride is worth the trip (the flashback in the psychiatrist's office structure is a television oldie but goodie) the audience will come away happy.
Nothing terribly original here, but once it gets rolling the actors are fun to be with. Limited pleasures, but real. Worth taking a chance. I'd be willing to bet anything with Fiennes would be; even in a minor piece like this, this is a star persona that demands attention.
The pace of THE VERY THOUGHT OF YOU - or, as it was originally called, "Martha - Meet Frank, Daniel and Laurence" (which can't quite decide if it's a "buddy film" or a romantic comedy) will drive some viewers up the wall, but those who stick with it for the joy of the contrasting boy/men buddies circling around the charming "Martha" and structure will be rewarded with a pat ending which is the very definition of a sure fire "date movie" - then go back and have a look at the hilarious WHAT'S UP DOC? that they stole it from.
The key to both the movie's success and failure is probably the casting of the four putative leads. "Martha," the film's "McGuffin" around which the thin plot turns is a generic blonde pixie indistinguishable from half a dozen delightful others, in this case Monica Potter, whose only problem is that there are too many other talented actresses just like her. The three best friends she meets and entrances are, in order, the blond, wealthy but shallow Daniel (Tom Hollander - more people probably saw him that year in support in the gay themed BEDROOMS AND HALLWAYS), author of the grand romantic gesture she will copy before the film's over, the struggling, competitive actor Frank (Rufus Sewell - a Tony nominee on Broadway for Tom Stoppard's ROCK & ROLL, here doing a remarkable imitation of a young Ian McShane!) and the insecure intellectual bridge instructor Lawrence (Fiennes). You'll know 30 seconds after she meets him who Martha's going to wind up with, but if the ride is worth the trip (the flashback in the psychiatrist's office structure is a television oldie but goodie) the audience will come away happy.
Nothing terribly original here, but once it gets rolling the actors are fun to be with. Limited pleasures, but real. Worth taking a chance. I'd be willing to bet anything with Fiennes would be; even in a minor piece like this, this is a star persona that demands attention.
construction
SnoopyStyle18 January 2022
Aka Martha - Meet Frank, Daniel and Laurence. Martha (Monica Potter) is tired of her life and leaves Minneapolis for random location London. Daniel (Tom Hollander) falls head over heels for her and follows her on the plane. She gives him the brush off but back home, he tells his best friends, Frank and Laurence, that he has found his dream girl. Unbeknownst to all three, each one has or will have fallen for Martha individually. Former child star Frank (Rufus Sewell) is now a struggling actor. Laurence (Joseph Fiennes) talks to Pedersen (Ray Winstone) who appears to be his therapist.
Monica Potter is very cute and the guys are all good actors. I would like to switch Sewell and Hollander. Hollander's shorter stature screams former child actor and Sewell has the intensity to be a music executive. The big issue is the movie's construction. It's trying too hard. I do wonder if the movie would be better to follow Martha instead and construct the movie in a straight timeline. As it stands, the movie leaves Martha, as a disjointed and flighty character. I get what the movie is trying to do and that is part of the problem. This film is relying too much on its own construction.
Monica Potter is very cute and the guys are all good actors. I would like to switch Sewell and Hollander. Hollander's shorter stature screams former child actor and Sewell has the intensity to be a music executive. The big issue is the movie's construction. It's trying too hard. I do wonder if the movie would be better to follow Martha instead and construct the movie in a straight timeline. As it stands, the movie leaves Martha, as a disjointed and flighty character. I get what the movie is trying to do and that is part of the problem. This film is relying too much on its own construction.
Delightful Romantic Comedy
jeanie-519 September 1999
I saw this film with the title "The Very Thought of You" and think that "Martha, Meet Frank, Daniel and Laurence" is far more apropos and distinctive, although a bit of a mouthful to casually mention the film to friends. I expect that far too few persons will see this delightful film. I was particularly charmed by Laurence's description of the "perfect woman" and even more charmed when (as if I might have missed it) it was replayed! The film is worthy of smiles and laughs throughout, with an especially funny moment which rippled through the audience in laughter for many moments into the next scene. It is artistically directed and edited, intelligently written, and well acted (except when Monica Potter seemed to sound like Julia Roberts -- I can't imagine why she would want to do that). Interestingly, Joseph Finnes is also outstanding in one of the films that I believe is among the best of the decade: "Shakespeare in Love." I find the implausibility of this is irrelevant -- it's an 83-minute movie that sets out to capture a mood, tell a story, and entertain. I expect that many will easily brush this film off as "cute and sweet" but I personally would love to see more films that are as well-constructed and intelligent.
Sweet Wit Elevates An Otherwise Commonplace Rom-Com
FiendishDramaturgy23 May 2007
AKA: The Very Thought Of You
This has been done many times before. You take a basic fish-out-of-water story, and try to put your own spin to it, in an attempt to make it seem like a "fresh" idea, and hope no one notices.
I'm happy to say that this time, it worked. Tom Hollander and Monica Potter are delightful as the would-be couple. Monica Potter is the fish out of water, as an ex-Minnesota resident cum Londoner.
This is delightful, and quite smart in places, giving this production an overall slick execution, while not pushing the envelope so hard, as to detract from the work.
This is quite enjoyable, in spite of the cliché level of the base premise. The two key performances are quite endearing and sweet. This one grabbed me, and pulled me in, in spite of myself.
It rates a 7.2/10 from...
the Fiend :.
This has been done many times before. You take a basic fish-out-of-water story, and try to put your own spin to it, in an attempt to make it seem like a "fresh" idea, and hope no one notices.
I'm happy to say that this time, it worked. Tom Hollander and Monica Potter are delightful as the would-be couple. Monica Potter is the fish out of water, as an ex-Minnesota resident cum Londoner.
This is delightful, and quite smart in places, giving this production an overall slick execution, while not pushing the envelope so hard, as to detract from the work.
This is quite enjoyable, in spite of the cliché level of the base premise. The two key performances are quite endearing and sweet. This one grabbed me, and pulled me in, in spite of myself.
It rates a 7.2/10 from...
the Fiend :.
woeful
talya-56 October 2006
Joseph Fiennes acts unbelievably badly in this movie, it was really painful to watch. His brother Ralph must be appalled! He wasn't quite as bad in Shakespeare in Love. It could have been an OK piece of fluff to watch on the couch if it weren't for his acting. At least he's really good looking which gives a slight compensation! Rest of the cast range from bad to ordinary acting- wise, and the characters are all quite irritating - especially Rufus Sewell's character. The character of the neighbor was OK. Monica Potter was reasonable. Production values were fine - it looks like a regular film with an OK budget, and the camera work etc. were all fine for a B movie. The plot wasn't in any way credible and despite the premise that three guys are attracted to one girl there didn't seem to be any chemistry between anybody at all. I didn't feel that I cared in the slightest about what happened to anybody. I really disliked this movie, in case you can't tell already!
A very funny and humorous film.
bosie902 June 2000
This was a great British film that deserves a good pat on the back. Not only did the film put together such a wonderfully presented cast that went together so realistically, so precise(including the sexy Joseph Fiennes), but it was a fantastic film with an original and laughable plot (which is better than seeing the same story over and over again). A great film that I enjoyed immensely.
Fresh, fun stuff.
=G=5 June 2001
"The Very Thought of You" tells the tale of one woman who encounters three men individually while starting her life over in the UK. Curiously, the three men happen to be best friends...the crux which launches this charming and amusing little romantic comedy. Low on schmaltz, fresh and fun, "TVToY" is a three star flick worth a watch for anyone into this genre.
At least they tried to do something different
MBunge24 May 2011
Warning: Spoilers
I suppose you can give this movie a few points for taking an unconventional approach to romantic comedy. Instead of boy meets girl, boy loses girl, The Very Thought of You gives us boy moons over girl, girl exploits and then blows off boy, girl throws herself at second boy, second boy shows all the genuine interest of a big Judy Garland fan, girl meets cute with third boy, third boy finds out that acting like Billy Crystal from When Harry Met Sally doesn't actually work with women, girl guilts second boy into giving her another chance, girl runs away from second boy and then runs back to him. Oh, and boys 1, 2 and 3 are all lifelong friends, which girl doesn't discover until it's far too late.
All that's rather convoluted and the sequence of events and the behavior of girl and her three boys often doesn't hold up under scrutiny, but it's certainly different and more involved than what you usually get in a romantic comedy. These filmmakers were so focused on being unconventional, though, they forgot that rom-coms live or die on two very simple points.
1. Does the audience want to see boy and girl get together?
2. Can you keep them from getting together until the end of the movie in an entertaining way?
These filmmakers never answer those questions in the affirmative, nor do they seem to even understand those questions are being asked in the first place.
Martha (Monica Potter) is a Minneapolis girl who flies to London to escape a life of quiet desperation. In short order she meets Daniel (Tom Hollander), who moons over her; Laurence (Joseph Fiennes), who responds to her overt flirtations with all the energy of a damp sponge; and Frank (Rufus Sewell), a miserable git who wants to bed her out of spite but whose wooing technique is only slightly more advanced than dipping her pigtails in the teacher's inkwell.
In truth, you can see the potential for a successful rom-com here. Monica Potter is more than cute enough and Tom Hollander and Rufus Sewell are appealingly pathetic as the obstacles that get in between Martha and Laurence. Joseph Fiennes is sort of a dud, but that's more because Laurence is such a dud. What keeps The Very Thought of You from being even marginally effective are some really terrible storytelling decisions.
To start with, Martha and Laurence don't even meet each other until you're nearly halfway through the film. First the movie is all about Martha and Daniel, then Martha and Frank, then it focuses on just Martha before finally getting around to the two people who are supposed to get together at the end. By that time, however, you really can't give a crap. You've seen too little of Laurence to care what happens to him and you've see too much of Martha to believe it when she swoons over him like a 1950s teenybopper over Frank Sinatra.
This film is also a bit nonlinear, showing us Daniel and Frank's encounters with Martha and then jumping back in time to show us what was going on with Laurence and Martha at the same time. It's not confusing to the audience, but these filmmakers must have lost track of what was going on because there are at least a few occasions where characters act like they know things they shouldn't have learned yet in the story. In particular, Laurence's decision to run away from Martha for the first time doesn't make any sense based on the information available to him at that moment.
And while I've already mentioned it, let me emphasize how weird it is that when Martha falls head over heels for Laurence, he responds to her for a long time like a gay guy who hasn't yet come out of the closet. When Laurence finally starts showing some interest in her, it's so abrupt and total a change that it's like he got a steel bolt shoved into his brain that altered his personality.
This movie isn't as painful to sit through as some disastrous rom-coms I've seen, but you won't care a whit if boy and girl get together, stay apart or get kidnapped by clowns and forced to perform a geek act in the carnival.
All that's rather convoluted and the sequence of events and the behavior of girl and her three boys often doesn't hold up under scrutiny, but it's certainly different and more involved than what you usually get in a romantic comedy. These filmmakers were so focused on being unconventional, though, they forgot that rom-coms live or die on two very simple points.
1. Does the audience want to see boy and girl get together?
2. Can you keep them from getting together until the end of the movie in an entertaining way?
These filmmakers never answer those questions in the affirmative, nor do they seem to even understand those questions are being asked in the first place.
Martha (Monica Potter) is a Minneapolis girl who flies to London to escape a life of quiet desperation. In short order she meets Daniel (Tom Hollander), who moons over her; Laurence (Joseph Fiennes), who responds to her overt flirtations with all the energy of a damp sponge; and Frank (Rufus Sewell), a miserable git who wants to bed her out of spite but whose wooing technique is only slightly more advanced than dipping her pigtails in the teacher's inkwell.
In truth, you can see the potential for a successful rom-com here. Monica Potter is more than cute enough and Tom Hollander and Rufus Sewell are appealingly pathetic as the obstacles that get in between Martha and Laurence. Joseph Fiennes is sort of a dud, but that's more because Laurence is such a dud. What keeps The Very Thought of You from being even marginally effective are some really terrible storytelling decisions.
To start with, Martha and Laurence don't even meet each other until you're nearly halfway through the film. First the movie is all about Martha and Daniel, then Martha and Frank, then it focuses on just Martha before finally getting around to the two people who are supposed to get together at the end. By that time, however, you really can't give a crap. You've seen too little of Laurence to care what happens to him and you've see too much of Martha to believe it when she swoons over him like a 1950s teenybopper over Frank Sinatra.
This film is also a bit nonlinear, showing us Daniel and Frank's encounters with Martha and then jumping back in time to show us what was going on with Laurence and Martha at the same time. It's not confusing to the audience, but these filmmakers must have lost track of what was going on because there are at least a few occasions where characters act like they know things they shouldn't have learned yet in the story. In particular, Laurence's decision to run away from Martha for the first time doesn't make any sense based on the information available to him at that moment.
And while I've already mentioned it, let me emphasize how weird it is that when Martha falls head over heels for Laurence, he responds to her for a long time like a gay guy who hasn't yet come out of the closet. When Laurence finally starts showing some interest in her, it's so abrupt and total a change that it's like he got a steel bolt shoved into his brain that altered his personality.
This movie isn't as painful to sit through as some disastrous rom-coms I've seen, but you won't care a whit if boy and girl get together, stay apart or get kidnapped by clowns and forced to perform a geek act in the carnival.
So good it even mentions Iceland...
KrisRagnarsson4 February 2003
I really didn't expect much when I saw this movie. I was in full knowledge of it being a self-proclaimed 'British/American romantic comedy with a twist', whatever that means, but I honestly took my seat at the theatre half-expecting to sleep the way through it.
Boy was I wrong!?!?
This is not a flawless movie, far from it. On the downside it felt a way bit simple and sometimes dangerously close to becoming a generic movie but it actually did a great job in walking the tightrope.
The pacing, it must be said, is brilliant as it does a great job of telling you full four stories and establishing multi-layered relationships between 3 best friends from Britain and a young woman from America with such ease that you feel like you've known them forever. The acting is spot on, although credit must be given to Rufus Sewell who owns this movie as the unfortunate Frank, whose "like me! like me!" plea warms my heart every time I see it!
The music is great, the lighting is terrific and somehow, over a period of 30 minutes, this movie manages to create and establish a scenario so perfect that every man and woman will emerge from the cinema wishing they were there. Of course, not all is gold that glitters and as such the scenario more or less crumbles throughout the story but the main theme in the movie is this; it's there and if you keep your eyes open it just might happen to you.
Of course, 'happen to you' is the easy part. What's hard is trying to make it work all the way, i.e. not just catching the ball but actually carrying it all the way into the end-zone. Which is where the story gets interesting.
I advise anyone who doesn't have any prejudice against romantic comedies to go see this one, as it will surprise you. No, it's not the movie to end all movies, nor is it a piece that will change your outlook on life, but for 90 minutes it will make you forget about all your worries and just enjoy yourself: laugh, smile, hold hands, wish you were holding hands, feel loved or love someone or both, and eventually walk out into the real world feeling like you've experienced a piece of bliss that has made your day a good one.
Give it a try, it's not big but it might bite you.
4/5.
Boy was I wrong!?!?
This is not a flawless movie, far from it. On the downside it felt a way bit simple and sometimes dangerously close to becoming a generic movie but it actually did a great job in walking the tightrope.
The pacing, it must be said, is brilliant as it does a great job of telling you full four stories and establishing multi-layered relationships between 3 best friends from Britain and a young woman from America with such ease that you feel like you've known them forever. The acting is spot on, although credit must be given to Rufus Sewell who owns this movie as the unfortunate Frank, whose "like me! like me!" plea warms my heart every time I see it!
The music is great, the lighting is terrific and somehow, over a period of 30 minutes, this movie manages to create and establish a scenario so perfect that every man and woman will emerge from the cinema wishing they were there. Of course, not all is gold that glitters and as such the scenario more or less crumbles throughout the story but the main theme in the movie is this; it's there and if you keep your eyes open it just might happen to you.
Of course, 'happen to you' is the easy part. What's hard is trying to make it work all the way, i.e. not just catching the ball but actually carrying it all the way into the end-zone. Which is where the story gets interesting.
I advise anyone who doesn't have any prejudice against romantic comedies to go see this one, as it will surprise you. No, it's not the movie to end all movies, nor is it a piece that will change your outlook on life, but for 90 minutes it will make you forget about all your worries and just enjoy yourself: laugh, smile, hold hands, wish you were holding hands, feel loved or love someone or both, and eventually walk out into the real world feeling like you've experienced a piece of bliss that has made your day a good one.
Give it a try, it's not big but it might bite you.
4/5.
Cuddly Romantic comedy.
rob-23624 May 1999
This Brit. flick is good fun and at 83 minutes is just right to put on one evening, soak up the atmosphere and enjoy but it suffers from being predictable. Yet another British Romantic comedy trying desperately to individual but not succeeding, although despite this it is very likable. Monica Potter is absolutely adorable as Martha, a bored American who flies in to London desperate for a change of luck. By coincidence she meets 3 friends, all at different times, who all fall head over heels for her. Joseph Fiennes, later to hit it big in 'Shakespeare in Love', is also good. Funny though to see Ray Winstone, usually known for his abrasive hard man characters in such films as 'Nil By Mouth', 'Face' and 'Scum' in such a cute romantic story!
Enjoyable Film-"The Very Thought of You"
KT-321 January 2000
I just watched the video of this film (it wasn't released widely in theaters) and I think it was well worth seeing. I think if the distributors had marketed it for the people who enjoyed "Notting Hill" it could have done well in theaters.
The basic plot is of three boyhood friends in London who all meet an American girl. Eventhough the outcome is fairly predictable, the plot takes several twists to arrive there.
If you like romantic comedies, give this one a chance. You won't be disappointed.
The basic plot is of three boyhood friends in London who all meet an American girl. Eventhough the outcome is fairly predictable, the plot takes several twists to arrive there.
If you like romantic comedies, give this one a chance. You won't be disappointed.
Not-quite-Julia-Roberts Meets One Big Girls Blouse and a Couple of Comedy Sidekicks
marysia2 September 2004
Sometimes I'm a sucker for a romantic movie, more rarely, when the black mood takes me, I want to rip out the protagonists innards and dance on them. Yesterday was such a day. I finished watching this movie which I'd started watching a few days ago, back when I was of the opinion that romantic movies were just lovely. I have two major bones to pick with the entire oevre and they both relate to the same basic concept, the indoctrination of helpless saps like me with bullshit romantic shite like this.
1. Being a helpless girlie who's just a little bit crazy and whines about how hard her life is will not cause all men within a hundred foot radius to fall in love with you no matter how perky your nose/breasts are.
2. That thing! That thing with the meeting and the moon eyes and the first date sex and the brief comedy misunderstanding leading to the immediate reunion and forgiveness cause you're just both so much in tune. It doesn't happen! And if it does why does it never happen to me!? I hate to be a cynic but I am one of those people that thinks if Romeo and Juliet hadn't offed themselves they probably wouldn't have lasted a year.
It's not that I want to believe that. I wasn't born cynical, I was turned. I am a bitter romantic. I went out into the world all doe-eyed and hopeful and offered myself up on the bloody alter of love and rather unsurprisingly, I got butchered. I wasn't prepared. They should make you watch Witness and that Jennifer Connelly movie with the double ended dildo and The Ice Storm before you hit puberty instead of crap like this.
1. Being a helpless girlie who's just a little bit crazy and whines about how hard her life is will not cause all men within a hundred foot radius to fall in love with you no matter how perky your nose/breasts are.
2. That thing! That thing with the meeting and the moon eyes and the first date sex and the brief comedy misunderstanding leading to the immediate reunion and forgiveness cause you're just both so much in tune. It doesn't happen! And if it does why does it never happen to me!? I hate to be a cynic but I am one of those people that thinks if Romeo and Juliet hadn't offed themselves they probably wouldn't have lasted a year.
It's not that I want to believe that. I wasn't born cynical, I was turned. I am a bitter romantic. I went out into the world all doe-eyed and hopeful and offered myself up on the bloody alter of love and rather unsurprisingly, I got butchered. I wasn't prepared. They should make you watch Witness and that Jennifer Connelly movie with the double ended dildo and The Ice Storm before you hit puberty instead of crap like this.
"Some People Are Such Harsh Critics"
fierypoeticgirl29 November 2007
I cannot believe how some people viewed this film. Peter Morgan is a brilliant writer. Do we really expect a "predictable" love story from such a great writer? No way. Monica, as usual, is incredible to look at and watch. In my opinion, she's the next Julia Roberts. Rufus Sewell can obviously play any sort of character. I have seen him in "Tristan and Isolde," "Uncorked," and now this film. I am in love with his eyes and well everything he does is superior to most British actors today. Everything about this film was delightful. Tom Hollander is also very versatile. Thank you, Peter, for giving us a movie with love, life-long decision-making, style and wit. This film is pure genius! Joseph is slowly becoming the actor his brother Ralph has become. Good movie which has to be taken the right way, or it will fly right over the average movie-goers' heads!
Real women don't run off to the bathroom-change their underwear...
DriftedSnowWhite27 February 2021
Do happy dances. It doesn't matter who the writers - or directors, are; can be men or women. 'Bridget Jones' kills a passionate moment to change her underwear' 'Abby' in 'The Ugly Truth' does the blasted happy dance, the emphatic, "YES!" - with fist, of course - and I'm pretty sure that 'Frances' in 'Under the Tuscan Sun' does one too. In every instance, these are women whose number one goal is to nab the man. When that's the case, and you've finally "got him," you don't care what underwear you are wearing; nor do you interrupt to go brush your teeth. (HE'S NOT)' and, let me not omit one of the most egregious bits of all: 'Kathleen Kelly' shadow boxing in the store she is about to lose, ignoring customers, and often talking like a backward baby in 'You've Got Mail'. This portrayal of women breaking passionate moments, or acting like tiny girls with the dancing bit, make enjoying any of these movies, impossible.
In the case of 'The Very Thought of You', further insult is added because HER bathroom scene defies the honesty of everything she has just said to Laurence. What seemed sincere becomes manipulation. From then on, all that character is, is a woman everyone - men and women - should avoid. All the male characters remain true to themselves.
I'm sick of these portrayals. (And, indeed, there is no reason for any of them to be attracted to 'Martha' other than, maybe, her looks. So tired of this.
In the case of 'The Very Thought of You', further insult is added because HER bathroom scene defies the honesty of everything she has just said to Laurence. What seemed sincere becomes manipulation. From then on, all that character is, is a woman everyone - men and women - should avoid. All the male characters remain true to themselves.
I'm sick of these portrayals. (And, indeed, there is no reason for any of them to be attracted to 'Martha' other than, maybe, her looks. So tired of this.
A hillarious romantic comedy
Cezzie6 August 2003
I'm a fan of Joseph Fiennes, so naturally, this was a film I've been wanting to see for ages. And it didn't disapoint me one bit!
The plot is basiclly three English friends meet an American girl within three days, at seperate times, and they all fall for her. First, I was excited to see a romantic comedy set in Britain ... I always look forward to those. And then, despite the ending being pretty predictable, I came to the conclusion that this is definately one of the best Romantic Comedy films I've ever seen.
Monica Potter does a great job at Martha, the American girl who's had enough of her life in America so buys the first plane ticket to anywhere for $99, and ends up in London. There were one liners from Martha that made me laugh so much.
Tom Hollander is a great Daniel, the rich and spoilt British guy who's a bit of a ladies man, and just loves to get a rise out of Frank. It's by not trying to be funny that makes us love and laugh at Daniel. Hollander does a great job at achieving this.
Joseph Fiennes ... is there any criticism you can give this man? He's perfect for the role of Laurence, and that's why it works so well. When you look into his eyes, you can dive deep into his soul, and he has the sort of face which you love. Laurence is the romantic and sensitive character, and I can't imagine a better person than Fiennes playing him.
Rufus Sewell as Frank steals the show. Frank is the funniest character, despite how serious he is. Frank, the depressed and failed actor who is constantly getting into arguements with Daniel, will have you laughing your ass off! I can't think of a time when he said something I didn't laugh at. If you're not a big fan of Romantic Comedies, this movie is worth watching, just for Sewell.
Stars out of 10 : 10
The plot is basiclly three English friends meet an American girl within three days, at seperate times, and they all fall for her. First, I was excited to see a romantic comedy set in Britain ... I always look forward to those. And then, despite the ending being pretty predictable, I came to the conclusion that this is definately one of the best Romantic Comedy films I've ever seen.
Monica Potter does a great job at Martha, the American girl who's had enough of her life in America so buys the first plane ticket to anywhere for $99, and ends up in London. There were one liners from Martha that made me laugh so much.
Tom Hollander is a great Daniel, the rich and spoilt British guy who's a bit of a ladies man, and just loves to get a rise out of Frank. It's by not trying to be funny that makes us love and laugh at Daniel. Hollander does a great job at achieving this.
Joseph Fiennes ... is there any criticism you can give this man? He's perfect for the role of Laurence, and that's why it works so well. When you look into his eyes, you can dive deep into his soul, and he has the sort of face which you love. Laurence is the romantic and sensitive character, and I can't imagine a better person than Fiennes playing him.
Rufus Sewell as Frank steals the show. Frank is the funniest character, despite how serious he is. Frank, the depressed and failed actor who is constantly getting into arguements with Daniel, will have you laughing your ass off! I can't think of a time when he said something I didn't laugh at. If you're not a big fan of Romantic Comedies, this movie is worth watching, just for Sewell.
Stars out of 10 : 10
Poor Movie
eastbergholt200218 August 2007
This film was a disappointment, my cable provider described it as a witty comedy, but it was awful. The cast proved that light romantic comedy is harder than it looks. Avoid this movie it's not very funny and doesn't make any sense.The script from Peter Morgan (The Queen, Last King of Scotland) was weak, the plot feeble and you didn't really care about any of the characters.
Martha (Monica Potter)is an American woman on the rebound. She escapes from a failed romance in Minnesota and hops on a cheap flight to London. At the airport she meets Daniel (Tom Hollander), a short but successful music executive. Everyday he meets attractive women but falls in love with Potter at their first encounter. Martha does not reciprocate Daniel's advances but because she only has $35 to her name she accepts his hospitality. Martha meets Laurence (Joseph Fiennes) and promptly falls in love with him. Fiennes and Hollander are best friends. The series of coincidences and chance meetings defy credibility.
Martha (Monica Potter)is an American woman on the rebound. She escapes from a failed romance in Minnesota and hops on a cheap flight to London. At the airport she meets Daniel (Tom Hollander), a short but successful music executive. Everyday he meets attractive women but falls in love with Potter at their first encounter. Martha does not reciprocate Daniel's advances but because she only has $35 to her name she accepts his hospitality. Martha meets Laurence (Joseph Fiennes) and promptly falls in love with him. Fiennes and Hollander are best friends. The series of coincidences and chance meetings defy credibility.
Sweet and playful
helen-535 February 2001
This is a sweet, charming romantic comedy with a playfully self-referential plot knitted together in flashbacks from different characters' points of view: David Lodge's 'Small World' meets Hal Hartley's 'Flirt'.
A woman comes to London to start a new life, and bumps into three very different men who all fall for her. She doesn't know that they're friends; they don't know that she's met all of them. She thinks she's lost the one she's fallen head-over-heels in love with, he thinks he's lost her. But we know that it'll all come out right in the end, because it's that kind of film.
Furthermore it has Joseph Fiennes looking soulful, and Rufus Sewell in a part he wanted "because I got to smoke cigarettes and say 'f*ck!' a lot". Definitely one for a girls' night in.
A woman comes to London to start a new life, and bumps into three very different men who all fall for her. She doesn't know that they're friends; they don't know that she's met all of them. She thinks she's lost the one she's fallen head-over-heels in love with, he thinks he's lost her. But we know that it'll all come out right in the end, because it's that kind of film.
Furthermore it has Joseph Fiennes looking soulful, and Rufus Sewell in a part he wanted "because I got to smoke cigarettes and say 'f*ck!' a lot". Definitely one for a girls' night in.
How inspiring!
gazelle3 January 2000
I would definitely recommend this film, if not for its cutely romantic outlook, or its refreshingly talented stars, I'd give it a thumbs-up just because it's English. Granted, I haven't seen a whole lot of British television or film, but it seems that everything I have seen has been either outlandishly funny or suicidally dramatic. English romance always seems to fall under the second, and sometimes numbingly depressing, idea. How wonderful, then, that I should run into this quiet little movie, which, although I will admit that Boise, Idaho is not the largest outlet for foreign film, I don't remember ever being released in my area. I remembered Mr. Sewell vaguely from "Hamlet," and have longed to see Mr. Fiennes in a film since "Shakespeare in Love," but never remember seeing Ms. Potter in anything, and I am sure that I never seen Mr. Hollander before. While I would not lie and say that this is a profound film and that there is anything to be learned from it or much to be thought of after seeing it, it would be only natural to praise it for its pure movie-like, feel-good quality, a small escape from the everyday. It resembles little, other than the highly implausible plot, of a Hollywood film. American romantic comedies seem built according to specifications designed only to provoke that slightly nervous, overly sweet feeling in the majority of female audience members. They usually have all the weight of a Twinkie, and leave one wondering how something so simple could be so utterly manufactured. This movie is more like a Wheat Thin, possibly underrated, certainly rather bland looking, but somehow much more satisfying and although it comes salty or in low sodium flavors, is surprisingly sweet without a trace of gooeyness. Hope yet for slightly awkward American girls.
British quality
MarioB2 June 2000
Warning: Spoilers
This is a British film. It means that noboby will take you for a fool. This is a romantic comedy, but a MALE romantic comedy! Three guys takes the place of one Meg Ryan. In that sense, it makes it very original, with a subject very déjà vu. I also love the fact that the film is short, that some of the gags are very funny without having to howl all the time. The gag of Fiennes talking to a psychologist who is not is funny. Good young actors too!
See also
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