This is a documentary with huge heart and charm. I was surprised by how much I liked it and how quickly and deeply engaging it was. While it feels quite unstructured, being raphsodic in footage from before, during and after pandemic lock-downs and following the owner's mercurial prosaic verbal flights from book to book and subject to subject, this is a huge part of the warmth and sense of connection it conveys. This very natural, almost raw style of the footage works to immerse the viewer into the little book shop and into the interactions between the owner, customers, staff and family. I sense the director has a deep love of books, book shops (maybe a connection to this particular bookstore?) and the love shines through the film. For a documentary filmed entirely within a very small spatial confine - and budget, resource and then pandemic confines - it has quite an expansive feel, and a big message of connection and humanity, kindness and patience. Thoroughly recommend this as a relaxing, uplifting, thoughtful tonic especially but not exclusively for book lovers.
