What We Did on Our Holiday

I didn't know anything about this movie, but saw it on iTunes. I knew and liked most of the actors. So I rented it. I was sold within the first five minutes. And it didn't fail to get me more involved throughout. There's no big arc, great plot, fantastic action, or slap stick comedy. I mean, it's all there but not in a big, in your face way. And I love that. It's a story that anyone who has a heart, and has been through rough patches with his or her family can relate to. The script contains many really great lines, especially the kids' parts. It's masterful edited and well paced. There are a ton of short shots that create extra texture. Some stunning wide shots of the environment. Lots of use of indirect storytelling inducing your imagination, good acting, and incredible acting by the three kids. I was moved and welled up, laughed a lot, was in awe and progressively more engaged. If you're in the mood for action, big laughs, a thriller or a big drama, don't pick this one. But if you feel mellow and like good storytelling, then sit back, relax and watch this one.

Brilliant acting by all 3 children. Many clever lines that had the audience laugh out loud. Super Scottish scenery and great advert for Wester Ross as a wonderful escape location, Slightly contrived happy ever after resolution but good light hearted family viewing. Great ostriches. And a view of kids grasp of the adult world. Enjoy the violin playing and jig at the end but bring air plugs for Thr practice sessions. Traditional portrayal of Scottish rural police! Imrie is in her element as a small character role; heart warming.

Good look at family dynamics and relationships. Connolly plays a wonderful loving Grandfather who shows wise approach to difficult members of his family as he comes face to face with his own death.

What We Did on Our Holiday is written and directed by Andy Hamilton and Guy Jenkin. It stars Rosamund Pike, David Tennant, Billy Connolly, Ben Miller, Amelia Bullmore, Emilia Jones, Bobby Smalldridge, Harriet Turnbull and Celia Imrie. Music is by Alex Heffes and cinematography by Martin Hawkins.

"The truth is, every human being on this planet is ridiculous in their own way. So we shouldn't judge, we shouldn't fight, because in the end... in the end, none of it matters. None of the stuff"

Andy Hamilton and Guy Jenkin spin off from their hugely popular sit-com, Outnumbered, to produce this funny, philosophical and moving picture. Tennant and Pike play parents of three young children, they are pending a divorce, but with Doug's (Tennant) father, Gordie (Connolly), dying of cancer, the family head to Scotland for what will surely be his last birthday party. Hoping to put on a united front so as to not upset Gordie any further, nobody could envisage what was to happen next...

It's a film that some no doubt find easy to kick, such is the uncomplicated structure used, and the formula of messaging that drives it forward. Yet sometimes uncomplicated is all you need, and in this day and age of mega-buck blockbusters and soulless frat type comedies grasping at sex for laughs, this is a film of refreshing qualities. It's superbly performed by what is a top notch group of adult British actors, who in turn are supplemented by three child actors so natural and engaging it makes you wonder if acting school is really needed?

It's obviously a piece that will resonate more with those who have been touched/stung by the thematics at work, while the comedy ticking away - with some truly great lines uttered - could seem a bit off kilter for the unprepared, but hopefully more will watch it, laugh and cry and ultimately realise that life really is too short for, well, you get the picture I'm sure. 8/10

It's not easy holding your life together, when your marriage seems to go south. Especially when kids are involved. Kids that do pick up on things and will let you know. Throw "Grandpas" Birthday into the mix and playing house almost becomes impossible. But what could have been a sour look filled with drama, is more like a light comedy, about death, family and life in general.

To pull this off, you have to have good actors. And you will not be surprised by the performances of the adults in this. You might be surprised by the performance of the kid actors though. They are really good and help carry the movie. Of course not all is light and fun throughout, but the overall experience is what you could expect :o)

We all loved this - me, my friend and my 2 daughters, 13 and 11. It's about a warring couple on the brink of divorce who take their three young children on holiday to Scotland to visit the husband's father, who has terminal cancer, on the occasion of his 75th birthday. It turns into an even more surprising birthday than anyone has imagined. David Tennant, Rosamund Pike, Billie Connolly, Ben Miller and Amelia Bullmore are all wonderful actors playing their parts to perfection and the children were as stunningly natural and funny as the children in the TV series Outnumbered. Andy Hamilton and Guy Jenkin had a great idea and have turned it into a funny and moving film. An extremely poignant scene was beautifully acted and directed and there were a fair few belly laughs as well as tears shed. There was some swearing but nothing worse than they hear routinely at secondary school, so though it was rated 12A I was never uncomfortable I'd taken my 11 year old daughter. Go and see it!