Sam & Kate

There are so many positives to this movie, I almost feel bad starting with the poster: it is so misleading!

You look at the poster and you thing this will be just one more of those crazy silly comedies. This couldn't be any farther from the truth.

This movie is deep and thoughtful, with intertwined stories very well connected and rooted in reality.

You watch it and it makes you feel all kinds of emotions:

• there is a light comedy that makes you chuckle on many places and, best of all, it never feels forced.

• there is unlikely romances that you can't foresee how this could possibly happen, and it catches you by surprise slowly developing into something nice and beautiful without any of those "magic moments" that so often happen on rom-coms.

• there is also a bit of drama that makes you cry and feel deeply for the characters and move you along the progression of the story in a very natural way.

In SUMMARY: an almost perfect script, filled with great actors, all very well cast on each role; you'll feel all the emotions and you'll be grateful that you have picked this film to watch at the end.

No expectations, no trailer, little information, romantic comedy.

This movie just popped up, usually I have no interest in this sort of movie and the only draw to it was DH.

For a slow burner the pacing was nice, Goldilocks even.

It's a simple story that would reflect many audience members lives or if not, would have a familiar ring to it for at least one of its story threads.

It doesn't batter you over the head with its themes or narrative and thankfully let's you fill in the blanks and work out the context and conclusions.

The actors are gentle the dialogue is light and witty. Don't expect head thrown back laughter but chuckles and titters, in a good way.

I have done no research but I would be surprised if this didn't come from a small book or short story, possibly an off broadway or festival play. Though I'm probably wrong!

For a lazy warm Sunday afternoon go watch and have a glass of wine!

Some may feel prior to viewing Sam & Kate that the casting of film legends Dustin Hoffman and Sissy Spacek's adult children is a gimmick to garner publicity for the film, and of course it likely was an intended angle. However, Jake Hoffman and Schuyler Fisk are accomplished actors in their own right so the on-screen interactions are very organic and natural and in no way a distraction. One comment I've read is that Schuyler is such a natural, bright light of a presence here and I agree we should see more from her on screen. The story itself is more dramatic than the marketing would lead you to believe, which is so often the case. But the storytelling is first-rate and moves along nicely with some unexpected character developments, even though Dustin's arc is fairly predictable from the start. Spacek has the strongest and most interesting material in my opinion and she performs with her customary charm and understated artistry. It's been a real treat to see some of her later work finally pair her with other film heavyweights such as Robert Duvall, Robert Redford, and now Dustin Hoffman. Overall, a mostly dramatic film with strong and likeable performances carrying the day.

Just watched it and it's lovely. Nothing groundbreaking, but on the other hand, one could say they don't make films like this any longer, unfortunately.

It's a simple story and yes, there are a couple of clichés, but it's still refreshing. Do you know why? There is a man and a woman, and they fall in love. No propaganda whatsoever. How sad is it that this kind of story is such a rarity these days?

One annoying downside is that it is marketed as a romantic comedy, which it is not. There is one character who is there for comic relief, I guess, but he is not funny.

Dustin Hoffman is fantastic. He is one of my favourite actors ever. It hurts to see him getting so old...

This is a really special film about love, loss and relationships. The cast is superb and I can't believe this film slipped under the radar the way it has. It's far better than the average ratings suggest and touched a nerve for me in several places.

Casting the real life father and son with the Hoffman's was a great touch. There is levity and drama and on the whole just a real genuine and heart felt backbone that's true to life.

Another stroke of genius with the casting is Henry Thomas, of E. T. Fame and more recently the string of successful Mike Flanagan series, in the role of Sam's trusted friend.

This is well worth the watch. If you're at all tempted you will definitely be rewarded.