Directed by: Jay Roach
Released: 2004
Country: United States
Genres: Comedy
Main cast: Robert De Niro, Ben Stiller, Dustin Hoffman, Teri Polo, Blythe Danner, Barbra Streisand, Alanna Ubach, Ray Santiago
Rating: 2.5 out of 5
Review
''Meet the Fockers'' is sequel to the wonderful romantic comedy ''Meet the Parents'' (2000). But alas, unlike the original film, the sequel is not wonderful. Oh yes, the film is funny, humor is present in almost all scene, but is it a memorable experience? No, it isn't.
A wonderful thing about ''Meet the Parents'' was that in spite of all the jokes, it possessed a kind of sweetness. But ''Meet the Fockers'' is far from being sweet. It is filled with humor, but however, it isn't sweet or charming. It is not charming at all.
But, however, don't think that it is a bad film. It isn't a bad film. In fact, it is enjoyable at quite a few scenes. But however, it lacks sweetness, and is hardly memorable.
The plot revolves around the same old people: Gaylord (Greg) Focker, his fiance Pam, Pam's parents Jack and Dina, and two new characters: Bernie and Roz, the parents of Greg.
The story is set a few days after the events of the first film. This time, the parents of Pam and the parents of Dina are to be introduced to each other.
The character of Jack is still quite strict, but is now more friendly and likes Greg quite much. Jack is now spending most of his times with his grandson Little Jack (son of Debbie).
On the RV of Jack, Greg, Pam, Dina and Jack arrive at Greg's parent's house. Then we are introduced to Greg's father, Bernie.
Played by Dustin Hoffman, Bernie seems to be stranger than Jack. But this ''strange'' is not ''strict''. Bernie is just too fun loving. Greg looks for his mother. It is revealed that his mother, Roz, is in fact a sex therapist. But however, Greg wants to conceal the fact and tells Jack that Roz is a yoga instructor for elderly people.
Then what happens? Funny troubles start arising because of some actions of Greg and his parents. But the problem is, this film is not as funny as the previous one.
And then, it is revealed that Greg had lost his virginity to Isabelle, a former housekeeper. Though somehow accepting the fact, Jack, after seeing Isabelle's son, thinks that he is, in fact, the son of Greg as well.
There are several funny scenes in the movie. But though it tries to be so very funny, it doesn't succeed in doing so. It hardly makes you laugh out loud.
Ben Stiller and Robert De Niro both give excellent performances as they had in the previous film. Blythe Danner is okay in her supporting role as Dina, Pam's mother, and Teri Polo is quite good as Greg's fiance Pam. Dustin Hoffman, playing Greg's strange father, gives a remarkable performance, while Barbra Streisand plays Roz, Greg's mother, quite remarkably. Spencer and Bradley Pickren play Little Jack, nephew of Pam. They are so cute! There is also the presence of Owen Wilson who briefly reprises his role as Kevin.
Generally, the film is made well. Cinematography is good, but I think the cinematography of the first film was better. The music is passable, not too remarkable.
But however, I did enjoy this film. The problem is, it's not a memorable film. But however, it has enough jokes and funny moments to make you enjoy, but it's not as much funny as the first film, and is not sweet or charming at all.
Overall, this film is disappointing. Seeing the charming Meet the Parents, I expected the sequel to be charming and excellent as well. But Meet the Fockers is neither charming nor excellent. But however, it is indeed enjoyable at parts and quite funny at parts. Watch it if you liked the first film. Meet the Fockers is a so much disappointing film, but yet, it has got many jokes and funny moments to make you enjoy this film.
2.5 out of 5!
Directed by: Martin Scorsese
Released: 2011
Country: United States, United Kingdom, France
Genres: Adventure, Family, Mystery, Drama
Main cast: Asa Butterfield., Chloe Grace Moretz, Ben Kingsley, Helen McCrory, Sacha Baron Cohen, Michael Stuhlbarg, Frances de la Tour, Richard Griffiths
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Review
Martin Scorsese, the brilliant film director, directs this so very wonderful, so very enchanting film. ''Hugo'' is such a film which made me so emotional, which made me smile and shed a tear.
''Hugo'' tells the story of the adventures of a young boy and a young girl in order to find out something, and the story slowly turns from a mystery adventure film to a homage to such a person who had such great contributions to cinema, George Méliès .
The movie works excellently. While it is able to excite the audience and make them curious, it also makes them, at most parts of the second half of the film, feel emotional.
The story starts with Hugo Cabret, a young boy, who lives in the clocks of a station. Set in the 1930s. An old man, Papa Georges, has a shop at the station. Hugo goes to steal something from the shop, but is caught by Papa Georges. After scolding him bitterly, he tells him to empty his pockets. Hugo takes out a notebook, containing drawings. The reaction of Papa Georges change immediately after seeing the drawings. Though Hugo pleads to him to return the notebook, but however, Papa Georges doesn't return it to him. Over the following scenes, we see some of the events of Hugo's past. His father worked as a clock maker. One day, he brings an automaton that could supposedly write something. Hugo and his father start repairing the automaton. But soon, his father dies in a fire. Hugo's uncle Claude takes him to the clock and shows him how to maintain it. But soon he disappears. Hugo alone maintains the clocks now. He repaired the automaton, following the instruction in his late father's notebook.
Hugo goes to Papa Georges again, who tells that he will burn the notebook. However, his goddaughter Isabelle promise to help Hugo.
Isabelle is a bookworm. She describes libraries as her ''Neverland and Oz and Treasure Island''. But however, she has never seen a movie. For some reason, Papa Georges doesn't allow her to see movies. Isabelle loves adventures. She decides to help Hugo to find the secrets behind this notebook. And then what happens? What happens after the automaton starts writing? What does it write?
The film is based on the historical fiction novel ''The Inventions of Hugo Cabret'', by Brian Selznick.
The film's beauty lies in it's theme. Back in the 1900s and 1910s, when the film industry was starting to develop, many people made important, great contributions to the cinema. Georges Melies is one of them. He directed over 500 films, many of which were lost or destroyed in course of time. The film informs us this.
The film pays homage and respect to this great man, Georges Melies. What makes this film more heartwarming and emotional is this matter. Also, what contributes more in making the film heartwarming is the wonderful, beautiful background music, and of course, the performances by Helen McCrory and Ben Kingsley.
''Hugo'' is historical fiction. It uses elements from history and fictionalized elements. For example, the past life, works, and tragic end in the film career of Georges Méliès , showed in this movie are mostly true. Even the fact that he ran a toy shop is also true (Méliès , after his filmmaking career came to an end, used to earn his living as a toy and candy salesman at the Montparnasse Station, Paris). But, however, it does have lots of fictionalized elements, of course, in it.
Ben Kingsley gives an excellent performance as Papa Georges/ Georges Méliès . His performance contributes a lot to this film. Helen McCrory, playing Mama Jeanne, is very good in her role.
But the best performances in this film is by Asa Butterfield and Chloe Grace Moretz. Both are highly talented young actors. I first saw Asa Butterfield in ''The Boy in the Striped Pajamas'', and then in ''Nanny McPhee and the Big Bang''. In both films, he was wonderful. Similarly in ''Hugo'', he gives such an excellent performance.
Chloe Grace Moretz is very, very good in the role as the intelligent young girl, Isabelle, a girl who loves books and libraries.
Sacha Baron Cohen plays the station inspector. Presented as a comical antagonist, he is always looking for orphans and sending them to the orphanages (Hugo manages to escape him on several occasions). There is also the presence of well known actors like Richard Griffiths and Frances de la Tour, in minor supporting roles. An impressive performance is by Michael Stuhlbarg, who plays a person who has seen all of Meilies's films, and who is greatly inspired by his works.
As I mentioned before the background music contributes a lot to make this film wonderful and excellent. Cinematography is praiseworthy. The visual effects are excellent. And also, the set decorations and designs are wonderful.
Therefore, ''Hugo'' is a masterpiece, among the best films made in 2011. Paying homage to Georges Melies, a pioneer in filmmaking, the film is able to make the audience cheerful, excited, emotional and curious. Strongly recommended!
4.5 out of 5!
Directed by: Tim Burton
Released: 2005
Country: United States, United Kingdom, Germany
Genres: Adventure, Fantasy, Family, Comedy
Main cast: Johnny Depp, Freddie Highmore, Helena Bonham Carter, Noah Taylor, David Kelly, Christopher Lee, Deep Roy, Jordan Fry, Julia Winter, AnnaSophia Robb, Philip Wiegratz
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
Review
The novels of the British author Roald Dahl (1917-1990) have been liked by both children and adults. His works have been adapted into film numerous times. Back in 1971, his novel ''Charlie and the Chocolate'' had been made into a film titled ''Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory''. Besides, his novel ''The Witches'' was made into a film in 1990, the film adaptations of ''James and the Giant Peach'' and ''Matilda'' were made in 1996. And in 2005, acclaimed film director Tim Burton made this pleasant version of ''Charlie and the Chocolate Factory''.
Most of the parts of the film are quite accurate to the book. There have been several minor changes, but that doesn't affect much. But however, Tim Burton added several extra things to this film. For example, we are shown Willy Wonka's background in this film. This is one of the things which make the film more heartwarming. And also, it's pleasant to see most of the parts of the film being quite faithful to the book.
Freddie Highmore, the amazing actor from ''Finding Neverland'', plays the protagonist in this film. He plays Charlie Bucket, a boy who lives in poverty in a small house with his parents and grandparents.
But let's start with the first things first. I liked the opening credits of this film. The backgrounds seen in the opening credits is likeable (I won't reveal that!).
Then we see a snowy place, and a little house. Charlie Bucket lives there with his family. Charlie's father is not paid well, so they live in poverty. Charlie's family consists of his parents, and four grandparents. The grandparents never get out of bed as they are very old.
Grandpa Joe tells Charlie about Willy Wonka's chocolate factory. The most intelligent chocolate maker, Willy Wonka maintains the greatest chocolate factory in the world. Years ago, Grandpa Joe used to work there. The factory was successful and produced amazing chocolates.
But then things started getting bad: other chocolate manufacturers start sending spies to the factory. The spies join as workers, and secretly give the secrets recipes to the other manufacturers, who soon start making the chocolates which would once only be made by Willy Wonka. Disappointed and worried, Willy Wonka closed down the factory and all his employees, including Grandpa Joe, was fired.But then, after many days, the factory was reopened. But the strange thing was, no workers were visible in the factory. No one would come in or out of the factory.
Charlie gets only one chocolate bar in a year, for his birthday. Then something amazing happens: Willy Wonka has hidden five golden tickets in chocolate bars, and these five chocolates could be anywhere on the world! The children who receive the ticket are allowed for a tour through Wonka's factory! Young Charlie is quite excited. But sadly, no ticket is found when he opens the chocolate bar he got as his birthday present. Four children from different places of the world, find the four golden tickets. Then one day, something amazing happens. Charlie finds some money on the street, buys a Wonka bar, and...
You can probably imagine what happens then. Yes, Charlie finds the ticket! He can go through a tour to the factory! Grandpa Joe accompanies him.
Then adventures start.
The four other kids are in some way nasty or other. Augustus Gloop is a fat, very fat boy who eats so many chocolates in a day. Veruca Salt is always spoiled by her father. Violet Beauregarde is always seen chewing gums. Mike Teave knows nothing but playing video games.
But however, at the chocolate factory these nasty kids get their punishments for their deeds- I won't reveal anymore!
Charlie Bucket is an immensely sweet and likeable. In fact, it is Freddie Highmore who gives the best performance in this film. The previous year he had played Peter Llewelyn Davies in the drama film ''Finding Neverland'', co-starring Johnny Depp and Kate Winslet. Just as his performance in Finding Neverland, his performance in this film is excellent as well.
The thing I disliked a bit about this film was the portrayal of Willy Wonka. He is played by Johnny Depp, an actor who can be seen in many of Tim Burton's movies. While Johnny Depp's performance is quite good, in the book we see Willy Wonka as a cheerful, weird, and funny man. While in this film, the cheerfulness, humor, and weirdness does exist in the character, the character is portrayed a bit grimier, nervous, and creepier. The background added to the character is quite interesting, which is revealed through several flashbacks. The costumes and makeup used in this character are likeable.
The supporting cast includes: David Kelly as Grandpa Joe (who accompanies Charlie throughout their tour in the factory), Helena Bonham Carter, in a comparatively small role as Charlie Bucket's mother, Noah Taylor as Charlie Bucket's father, Christopher Lee as Willy Wonka's father, and Jordan Fry, Julia Winter, AnnaSophia Robb, Philip Wiegratz in the role of the four nasty kids. Deep Roy makes appearance as the Oompa-Loompas, the tiny workers in the factory. Deep Roy himself plays all the Oompa-Loompas. I also have to mention Eileen Essell, who plays a minor role as Grandma Josephine. I liked her from her role as the old lady in the dark comedy film ''Duplex''.
The set decoration and production design deserves special praise. The set is highly beautiful and amazing. It's immensely likeable. The chocolate factory scenes are well-made and beautiful.
Cinematography is beautiful. The songs in this film were originally written by Roald Dahl himself in the novel. The costume designs and makeup are quite good.
Overall, this adaptation of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is immensely likeable, with most of the things being accurate to the book (there are a few changes and some additions). The film has beautiful set designs, excellent cast, and a good screenplay. Recommended!
3.5 out of 5!
Directed by: Anurag Basu
Released: 2012
Country: India
Genres: Romantic, Comedy, Drama
Main cast: Ranbir Kapoor, Ileana D'Cruz, Priyanka Chopra, Rupa Ganguly, Saurabh Shukla
Rating: 4 out of 5
Review
There are many films which make you smile. There are many films which makes you laugh. There are many films which brings tears to your eyes. And there are also films which make you smile and cry at the same time.
''Barfi!'' is an example of such a film: a film which brings smile and tears at the same time. And it is a beautiful poetic tale. It is a tale about love, sorrows, sacrifice, humor... It is a beautiful, a poetic tale that deals with not only love, but also sacrifice, happiness...
It is pleasant to see a character like Barfi. Barfi's parents had named him Murphy, but everybody calls him ''Barfi''. Barfi is a person who likes to find happiness in every little things, who's a prankster, and whose pranks sometimes lead to trouble. Nevertheless, people around himself like him.
The film opens as we see Barfi, now an old man, terribly ill. Shruti (Ileana D'Cruz) narrates the movie and tells us everything about Barfi. There are clever uses of flashbacks in this movie. Well, almost the whole movie is told in flashbacks. The narration and presentation of this film are clever. There are even uses of flashbacks within flashbacks. This made me a bit confused, but however, this narration is one of the things which make the movie artistic.
The film tells the story of the lives of Barfi, Shruti, and Jhilmil in 1972, 1978 and the present time.
As the flashbacks start, we see Barfi, a cheerful deaf and mute young man, charming, but prankster. The film shows with his falling in love with two different women: Shruti, and the autistic Jhilmil (Priyanka Chopra). In the film we see cheerfulness, sorrows, and sweetness.
The silent film genre has influence over this film. Ranbir Kapoor, playing a deaf and mute boy, doesn't have any dialogues. Often, he expresses his reaction by using gestures, and sign language. Furthermore, in several scenes, dialogue is minimal. Priyanka Chopra plays an autistic girl, Jhilmil. The character is highly remarkable. She does have a few dialogues, but however, her dialogues are minimal.
The actors who play the three protagonists are strong and excellent in the roles. Ranbir Kapoor's performance as the deaf and mute, yet charming young Barfi is highly remarkable and praiseworthy. He made his first film appearance with ''Saawariya'', and we have been charmed by his performance in romantic comedy films like ''Wake Up Sid'',''Anjaana Anjaani'', etc. But, however, according to my opinion, he gives his best performance in ''Barfi''. As the charming, handsome, yet deaf and mute Barfi, he is excellent and his performance is memorable.
Priyanka Chopra plays Jhilmil, an autistic girl. Her performance is strong and excellent. This is the second film where she and Ranbir have appeared together, the first being ''Anjaana Anjaani''. Priyanka Chopra also gives one of her best performances in Barfi!. Ileana D'Cruz as Shruti is also highly remarkable and excellent in her role. She made her Bollywood debut with this film.
The supporting cast is also excellent and all plays their roles excellent. Rupa Ganguly gives a good performance as Shruti's mother. Saurabh Shukla plays a police officer who is often seen chasing Barfi for the mischief he (Barfi) created, but however, he does have sympathy for him. All others plays their roles well.
''Barfi!'' is such a film that almost every scene is sweet. It is such a film which is entertaining throughout, which is capable of touching us. It can make us smile, laugh, and also bring tears to our eyes- such an excellent film it is.
Cinematography is remarkable and highly praiseworthy. All the scenes are beautifully shot. The background music deserves special praise. The beautiful background music contributes a lot to make this film wonderful. The songs are all wonderful. The locations where the film is shot are all beautiful.
But, however, despite the film being beautiful, entertaining, and enchanting, in a few scenes, it made me a little bored. But, however, don't think that those scenes are boring. It's just the length of this movie (2 hours and 30 minutes). In fact, all of the scenes possess sweetness and beauty.
Overall, ''Barfi'' is a sweet, entertaining, and enchanting movie. It's a beautiful and poetic story of love, fun, sacrifice, sorrows, and life. Strongly recommended!
4 out of 5!
Directed by: Jay Roach
Released: 2000
Country: United States
Genres: Comedy, Romantic
Main cast: Ben Stiller, Robert De Niro, Teri Polo, Blythe Danner, Owen Wilson, Nicole DeHuff, Jon Abrahams
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
Review
''Meet the Parents'' has everything you can expect from an enjoyable, good romantic comedy movie- the humor, the romance, and even the dramatic elements are also present there. And it does, indeed, meet with all your expectations, which is what makes it a brilliant film, a film that is never boring and always funny, humorous.
But what contributes more to the excellence of the film are the performances by Ben Stiller and Robert De Niro, whose performances are truly excellent. With exception of a few scenes, the film is funny and entertaining.
The film starts with entertainment, and ends with entertainment. That's also what contributes to make it a highly noteworthy romantic comedy movie.
It's lead character, Greg Focker (played by Ben Stiller), is a male nurse, which is later made fun of by Jack (the character of Robert Di Niro) on several occasions. Greg and Pam (played by Teri Polo) are deeply in love with each other. Pam's sister is getting married. So Greg and Pam go to spend the weekend with Pam's parents and attend her sister's wedding.
Greg is introduced to Pam's father, Jack, who takes a dislike at Grey at the first sight, and Pam's mother, the pleasant Dina. Though Greg tries to impress Jack, his effort fail. He accidentally ends up in a room with a lie detector, and later Pam informs him that Jack is a retired CIA officer.
Gradually, some of Greg's actions lead to troubles: he accidentally hurts Pam's sister's eyes with a ball while a game, and one of his actions set a fire on the wedding altar, and the Jinx, Jack's dear cat, also goes missing, a result of one of his actions.
But in spite of these ridiculousness and funny elements, the film does have a heartwarming ending. The film tries it's best, and it succeeds in doing so.
A funny movie, perhaps one of the funniest movies made in 2000. A romantic comedy film where the hero and the heroine love each other deeply, but will he be able to get her father's permission? Will her father finally like him? What difficult things does he do to impress her father?
Meet the Parents also has some slapstick humor. It has some very funny moments. I won't describe them here because I want those to be a surprise to you.
Casting was excellent. Ben Stiller and Teri Polo are both amazing, and Robert Di Niro's acting deserves the most praises. His performance as the over protective father of Pam is highly remarkable. Also present are Blythe Danner, who plays Dina, the mother of Pam, who is pleasant and is soft-hearted, much different than her husband. Owen Wilson plays Kevin, the ex-fiance of Pam and is brilliant in carpentry. His performance is also quite remarkable. Then there are Nicole DeHuff, who plays Pam's sister Debbie, who is to be married. Thomas McCarthy plays Debbie's fiance. There is also Jon Abrahams as Denny, the younger brother of Debbie and Pam. His performance is praiseworthy. James Rebhorn and Phyllis George play Larry and Linda respectively, the parents of Debbie's fiance Bob.
Therefore, the casting was strong and excellent, and everyone played their roles well.
Cinematography was quite good. The scenes are wonderfully shot. The background music was okay.
Overall, Meet the Parents is a highly remarkable movie that will meet with all your expectations and will thoroughly entertain you. It's a highly recommended film. It's very funny, quite romantic and overall, very good.
3.5 out of 5
Directed by: Tim Burton
Released: 2007
Country: United States, United Kingdom
Main cast: Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Alan Rickman, Timothy Spall, Jamie Campbell-Bower, Jayne Wiesener, Ed Sanders
Genres: Musical, Horror, Thriller, Crime
Rating: 4 out of 5
Review
Directed by Tim Burton, this film stars two of the actors whom we can see in many of Tim Burton's films: Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter. In addition, the film stars Alan Rickman as the antagonist, Timothy Spall as a secondary antagonist, and Jamie Campbell-Bower in a supporting role.
Johnny Depp plays Benjamin Barker, a.k.a. Sweeney Todd, the antihero of the film. With a tragic past, the character makes an evil plan to take revenge from all those who had wronged him.
The film is adapted from the well-known musical by Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler. And this film is dark, violent and full of music.
Most musicals are cheerful and bright. But Sweeney Todd isn't. Rather, Sweeney Todd is a dark, violent movie.
One of the charms of this film is that there is music within dialogues. Many of the dialogues are songs. There are lots of songs in this movie, most of which are excellent.
The film starts as a middle-aged man, Sweeney Todd (played by Johnny Depp) is coming to London with a young man, Anthony (played by Jamie Campbell-Bower). Upon reaching London, through a song, tells him about a barbar. The barber is, as we are shown in the flashback, Todd himself. His name was then Benjamin Barker. He had a beautiful wife, Lucy, and a little daughter. They were very happy.
But the evil Judge Turpin (played by Alan Rickman) is in love with Lucy, and banishes Barker for a crime he didn't commit.
Back in the present day, Barker has changed his name to Sweeney Todd and has come back to London. He goes to the Fleet Street, where he goes to the shop of Mrs. Lovett, who makes the worst meat pies in London. Todd used to live in the flat above Mrs. Lovett's shop.
Mrs. Lovett tells Todd what happened to Lucy. Judge Turpin had raped Lucy, and Lucy poisoned herself using Arsenic. Judge Turpin raise Johanna, Todd's daughter, as his ward.
Upon recognizing Todd, Mrs Lovett takes him upstairs, and returns his silver razors to him.
Then several events follow. Todd wants to take revenge from those who wronged him. And he and Mrs. Lovett think of an evil plan.
The film is violent and dark. The film is musical. The film has a violent, dark tale of revenge. But in spite of being violent, Sweeney Todd is memorable and remarkable because of a number of reasons. First of all, the presentation. The film is presented excellently through music, songs, a bit of humor. At times, it is highly scary.
The character of Sweeney Todd first appeared as a murderer in the the penny dreadful series in 1846-1847. More additions were made to the story later on. There have been different versions of the story.
The cast is strong. Johnny Depp's performance as the antihero Sweeney Todd is excellent. Helena Bonham Carter is also quite excellent in her role as Todd's partner in crimes, Mrs Lovett. Alan Rickman's performance as the evil Judge Turpin is remarkable. Timothy Spall also gives a good performance as Mr. Beadle, Turpin's associate.
Jamie Campbell Bower gives an excellent performance as Anthony. Sacha Baron Cohen plays Pirelli, as a barber and secondary antagonist. Ed Sanders is a brilliant child actor and his performance as Tobias is highly noteworthy. Jayne Wiesener, in her relatively small role as Todd's daughter and Turpin's ward Johanna, is okay.
Cinematography is excellent. The sets are excellent as well. Costumes are okay, and makeup deserves praise. Truly, the makeup was remarkable. And also, the music of this film is truly excellent.
Overall, Sweeney Todd is an excellent film, and it is the combination of everything- songs, music, story, script, cast, cinematography, makeup and presentation- that makes this film a great one. The film's scary, and excellent.
4 out of 5
Directed by: Nick Moore
Released: 2008
Country: United Kingdom, United States, France
Main cast: Emma Roberts, Alex Pettyfer, Natasha Richardson, Shirley Henderson, Georgia King, Juno Temple
Genres: Comedy, Drama, Romantic
Rating: 3 out of 5
Review
''Wild Child'' is a teen comedy romantic movie- and it is sweet and quite interesting. It brought a smile to my face. Nevertheless, the plot is predictable. But however, this film is quite entertaining. Because it is not boring and it has humor, and romantic elements.
Emma Roberts (niece of Julia Roberts) stars in this movie as Poppy Moore, a spoiled teenager living in Malibu. She loves pranks. After a prank enrages her father (played by Aidan Quinn), the latter sends her to a boarding school in England.
The school is strict. And Poppy has trouble adjusting: Discipline, discipline, and discipline.
But, however, her roommates get friendly to her, and decide to help her to get expelled, as she hates the school and wants to leave. They help her participating in different pranks. Then several interesting, several emotional events follow.
The characters and the cast are generally okay. Natasha Richardson plays the Headmistress, who is generally quite strict but wants Poppy to improve and tries to help Poppy to improve herself. Richardson is excellent in her role. Alex Pettyfer plays Freddie (the male protagonist), son of the Headmistress. Poppy and Freddie fall in love with each other.
There is also Shirley Henderson, who plays the strict matron. Georgia King plays the antagonist, Harriet, the head girl who always tries to make Poppy miserable. She gives a good performance. There are also several roommates of Poppy who always try to help her.
The story and screenplay are both good. Cinematography is good. The music is also good. The film is a bit predictable. But however, this doesn't affect the film much. As it is really quite entertaining, enjoyable, and touching. It is a lighthearted comedy romantic film.
Overall, despite being predictable, this lighthearted film is fairly enjoyable, entertaining, and not boring. Watch this film; you won't be disappointed!
3 out of 5.
