Solitaire for 2

I watched this back in 96 (I think) on VHS. I was a student in those days, and Richard Curtis style romantic comedies based in twee shire towns or fantasy London Boroughs populated, of course, by loveable English middle class eccentrics, were still pretty much in vogue.

Solitaire for 2 differs slightly from the norm because our leading lady, Katie (Amanda Pays), happens to be a psychic with the uncanny ability to read minds. This makes forging a relationship rather difficult, given that she can finish other peoples sentences before they do and knows exactly what others (especially men, wink wink) are thinking.

As a premise, it's not a bad one. Unfortunately, rather than driving the plot, Katie's talent (or curse) quickly becomes a one trick pony that tires after half an hour. Katie may be attractive, and whilst the plot does raise issues about female objectification and male desire, I think it's a bit steep to assume that *every* bloke she meets would want to automatically sleep with her?

If anyone's interested, there's a cameo by long forgotten British band Right Said Fred. Otherwise there's little else to recommend an wearisome romcom that quickly outstays its welcome.

This romantic comedy has a number of unusual ideas and very quirky characters, giving the whole thing a distinct surreal touch. There were enough good ideas in this film to put a really nice piece together, but sadly the film makers did not manage that.

First problem is the casting - the lead actors do not quite fit to their envisaged screen personas. Ms Pays is a good-looking woman, but not the gorgeous uber-babe suggested by several scenes, and Mark Frankel's charm lacked sophistication: more Italian waiter than Cary Grant. Generally both leads appeared rather unsympathetic which is a major crime in this genre. The writers also did not think the characters through carefully enough, e.g. one should think that an intelligent and rational thinking woman such as Katie would have come to terms with her telepathic powers in a less violent way.

In London, the wolf Daniel Becker (Mark Frankel) prepares executives to have attitude based on their body language. His best friend is Harry (Jason Isaacs), who is married with a child with Caroline (Maryam d'Abo). The paleontologist Katie Burrough (Amanda Pays) researches with her Indian coworker Sandip Tamar (Roshan Seth) at the museum of London. Katie is a beautiful woman capable of reading minds and she creates problems with men everywhere since they are always thinking how desirable she is. When they meet each other, they have a date and Daniel falls in love with her. After many problems, she agrees to be blindfolded since she can not mind with her eyes covered. Daniel proposes Katie to get married but she is a dedicated scientist and together with Sandip, they have made a discovery and she needs to travel to India. What will she do?

"Solitaire for 2" is an original and charming romantic comedy where she gorgeous Amanda Pays performs the role of a woman capable to hear what other people is thinking. Mark Frankel shows great chemistry with Amanda Pays that is in the top of her beauty and despite the silly story, the film is a good entertainment. The stylish music score is magnificent since Daniel is fan of classical music. In 2000, "What Women Want" uses the storyline of capability to read minds in a successful film with Mel Gibson in the lead role. My vote is six.

Title (Brazil): "Pensamentos Perigosos" ("Dangerous Thoughts")

A copybook example of why the British film industry is in a dreadful mess. Trite script mouthed by clever-clever cast, dull direction and unsympathetic characterisation, the list is endless. In here somewhere is a half decent movie idea - a character that can hear people thinking (What Women Want, anyone?)..but synor blows it. Avoid.

This movie is a pleasure to watch. Its pace, storyline and characters keep the viewer involved. The premise is almost cliché, but this particular movie brings a humanistic/realistic aspect. This movie reminds me a lot of Mel Gibson's 'what women want.' However, with major differences. First and foremost its made in the UK. This means that none of the Hollywood producers were involved. As a result the movie is honest and realistic instead of fake and over-hyped. Secondly it brings something like ESP to an everyday level. In one scene the main character, while in the company of her boyfriend, reads a mans mind and doesn't like what she 'hears' so she slaps the man and walks away. Of course the man is dumbfounded, so her boyfriend shrugs his shoulders and calmly states 'she's got ESP.'