LydiaHollowell

I didn't want to see this movie only because I was a HUGE Bobby Kennedy fan at age 14 and didn't want to go through the pain I felt at that young age, just graduating 8th grade. The country was literally trying to cope with Dr. King's death when Bobby was killed. It was too much and the Vietnam war brought us nothing but grief and sadness. Dion from Dion and the Belmonts came out with his song, "Abraham, Martin and John", which, of course, mentions Bobby at the end. It was all too sad. But I got dragged by my sister and it was worth it. Emilio Estevez has made a wonderful tribute to Bobby Kennedy and the build up to the tragic ending can be felt throughout the movie. He achieved what he wanted to achieve: if you lived through that time, you recalled it vividly. If you're new to this recent history, you know how we felt at the time. When I was in 4th grade, John F. Kennedy was shot, and all I could think was how upset my dad and sister would be. I had no real concept of death. By the time my beloved Bobby was killed, I knew too well. I was so proud to have been a supporter of Bobby Kennedy. Thank you, Emilio, for giving us this movie and thank you to Martin Sheen for showing young Emilio how the world did change that day; a heartbreaking day. AND, the music is terrific! All that great music we were listening to back in 1968; bravo!

If you enjoy British comedy and enjoy Rowan Atkinson, go see this movie. It's actually very funny but very "dark" in the subject matter. Rowan plays a vicar so well (he played one in "Four Weddings and a Funeral). This gives him so much more on-screen time, which is wonderful. Kristin Scott Thomas and Maggie Smith are delicious to watch, as always. This shows the lovely English countryside, with all the hidden "dark" side going on behind its loveliness. Maggie Smith is perfect in this part. Rowan is perfectly suited to play this character and his understated performance is right on the mark. You won't find either Mr. Bean or Black Adder here! Bravo performances by all and I mustn't forget "Dirty Dancing" star Patrick Swayze. He personifies a type of American, with those perfect teeth and those cowboy boots, that some of us wish didn't really exist. But he is perfect in this role. Perfect. And don't miss the "American underwear" scene with Patrick and Kristin. Now that was funny and her reaction was even funnier.

This movie was so funny is so many different ways. If you've read any reviews, you know the movie is going to be funny and, at times, sad. But it's actually funnier than you would have imagined and the sad parts, done well, are funny. Most of us can relate to at least one of these characters. Maybe all? And the character of "Olive" is so well done by this young girl. Toni Collett and Greg Kinnear are perfect as mom and dad and Alan Arkin is another gem, especially his moment with Kinnear in the van where he shows tenderness for his son's confusion. And Frank, Toni's brother, is just perfect for the role. Carnell is such a good actor and this shows it once more. The ending is absolutely worth the wait; the audience was laughing and I was laughing and my friend was laughing and it's hard to stop laughing. It also pokes great fun at these ridiculous beauty pageants for young girls. It makes one feel sick to see these little girls losing their childhoods. Great satire.