I didn't want to watch this movie. I had seen the trailer and it was great and for many movies the trailer is where it begins and ends... three funny or clever or cute lines and the rest is filler.
Not here! This was nothing short of a remarkable little gem, a touch of brilliance, utterly charming in every way.
I have never liked Sam Neil... yes, he can act but... in this marvellous romp of a film he's actually likable and perfect in his role.
As for Julian Dennison... this kid is brilliant... nothing overdone, the best delivery of the one-liners that were all through this joyful masterpiece... I'm not so sure this boy was actually acting or just having a very good time! All of the cast were perfect, every face fit the bill.
The script - not sure how much came straight from the book, possibly quite a bit - but this was truly funny! The rarest thing in a movie ever these days is anything that is genuinely actually funny. The moving moments were smart, direct and quick and all of the actors knew how to carry these moments well. I can only think that the director was superbly working all the moments, that this very, very clever, funny film was filled with care and attention and lots of remarkable talent.
I couldn't help myself, I watched it two days in a row. Fabulous. And I will never forget some of those one-liners: 'Vegetables?' 'The knack!'
The over the top ending - priceless.
