MiSoOtt

Brilliant idea for a film - but unfortunately the worst possible execution. Badly acted the cast can't catch your attention or raise any compassion for their fate. While the story starts somewhat mysterious and you are guided into an expectation that some humour may follow, the plot turns totally stale and - which I consider worse - completely foreseeable after about 15'. The ending makes no sense at all and leaves you in the chair with that feeling "What the heck? That's it?" A great frustration and the feeling of having been duped, of having lost valuable life-time that could have been much better used to watch a real movie. An extreme disappointment!

Somehow I fell into the trap that this film tackles. Prejudices against ninny ballet dancers. What could be great about an 11 year-old boy from straight British coal miners background who dreams of becoming the new Fred Astaire? But finally the DVD made its way to the player and I must confess I was electricised. The intensity of the acting as well as that of the pictures, the discrepancy between the lost coal miners hopes and the subtle positivism ingrained in the stubborn boy, the subtle humor, all lack of arrogance .... it just all matched. Well told story, straight to the heart without any "kitsch" - a pure pleasure to watch and receiving my full recommendation, even though this 2000 flic may not be one the front pages any more.

This film is certainly a pleasure to watch, fitting for an agreeably afternoon in the movie theater while it is cold and dark outside. But that's about it. When getting out you'll forget it immediately. To call it an overblown ad for the US wine industry would be exaggerated. Though .... (but it may be rude to ask what sponsor's contribution has been given to Fox). One guy a tickle too whiner, the other a tickle too innocently "everybody's darling". Even information on how to taste wine, how to distinguish grapes stays rather shallow. If the Oscar nomination for Thomas Haden Church alias Jack is a sign of how American males figure themselves today .... no wonder we Europeans fear them. At least it is convincingly portrayed that the guy believes all the nonsense he tells his one-night-stands. Don't let's start to weigh intellectual aspirations .... that would end in an exaggeration like the whole nomination business.

So again: the film is pleasing. There is a certain fun to watch it though real laughs were scarce. But watching it once is largely enough. Afterwards: go home. Open a bottle of nice wine. and watch something different.