Roald Dahl's Esio Trot

I cant stand James Corden, and I am not to keen on Roald Dahl either. However, this movie was wonderful.

Based on a short story by Roald Dahl, this gentle comedy introduces us to Mr Hoppy (Dustin Hoffman) an elderly resident in a flat where he tends his wonderful plants on his balcony. But outside of his plants his life is empty and grey apart from his long held secret love for Mrs Silver (Judi Dench). Mrs Silver is a widow who lives in the flat downstairs and the shy botanist barely has the nerve to speak to her until she buys a pet. A tortoise named Alfie, that she dotes upon. When Mrs Silver confides in Mr Hoppy that she has concerns about Alfie, Mr Hoppy conceives a brilliantly overcomplicated plan to win her affections.

There is no doubt that Roald Dahl is a true genius, nevertheless there have been cases where movies have not lived up to their original works. There is no doubt that Judi Drench and Dustin Hoffman are huge names and absolutely amazing (to say the least) actors, however there have been plenty of movies with superb actors and great names which turned out less so. This is NOT one of those. The BBC did a great job to put a marvellous story into this magnificent movie, for the young and the old alike.

Dustin Hoffman does such a sublime job playing Mr. Hoppy that I find it hard to imagine him as anybody else. Quiet, shy, kind Mr. Hoppy made his way into my heart from his first minute (more like seconds actually) on the screen. Judi Drench appears as the love interest of Mr. Hoppy, Mrs. Silver, whom despite not being the brightest bulb in the box was a lovely character. All in all both have given wonderful performances.

The writers were, in my opinion, the ones who managed to bring real magic to the movie. Looking for more detail, they turned out to be Richard Curtis, Paul Mayhew-Archer, 'old' names to the admirers of comedy from the BBC. Their tasteful humour is no news to me and they managed to put their light, yet deep, touch to this script. They have managed to insert some of the loveliest jokes, and produced a masterpiece that would bring tears to people's eyes for ages.

There is not enough praise I could ever possibly bring to this movie and for it to be enough. I could go on for ages, praise every joke and every scene.

This is a simple sweet tale.Nothing to dislike. The story is cute and inoffensive. The film has been written to pad out the story and it has done so in a sympathetic and appropriate fashion. The thing that makes it so delightful is how Hoffman and Dench make the characters adorable and relatable regardless of the fact that they are unlikely. If you don't like charm, wit and a bit of suspending disbelief, move along. I intend to use this to vet people in the future. If they don't like this movie I won't be going for coffee with them. Relax, turn off your cynicism and wallow in the treacle and charm until your all marshmallow inside. :)

A charming story from one of our great authors of both child and adult fiction.

The story of one mans infatuation with his neighbour and the lengths he will go to to win her love.

With the always excellent Dustin Hoffman and Judi dench. Even the sometimes annoying James cordon puts in a stellar performance as the on screen narrator.

An enjoyable feel good movie that wanes a little,retains all the character of a Dahl novel or short story. This film will enchant you and frustrate you feeling melancholic. Suitable for all ages,a must for all Dahl fans and fans of the actors.

James Corden narrates the story. Mr. Hoppy (Dustin Hoffman) has a crush on his downstairs neighbor Mrs. Silver (Judi Dench). They often speak from their balconies. Then she gets a tortoise, but she is concerned that it's not growing. Hoppy has an idea.

There is a real charm to this and that starts with the two veteran stars. They are adorable together and they are easy. I would change the narrator. I would rather have an old serious British narrator like for a nature documentary. The happy Corden MC is fine especially for the premise. All in all, this movie is sweet and the ending is super sweet.