Margo S
Love everything about this film. Bill Paterson is terrific. Quirky characters. Bill Forsyth. Love the soundtrack. Wish Bill Forsyth was still making movies. Watch it every Xmas. Highly recommend.
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
10/06/23
Full Review
isla s
This could be viewed as a bit of a tragi-comedy, in that things don't go well for the main character, Alan (played by Bill Paterson). The comedy is relatively dry. The characters were quite likeable, I found. Its not hilariously funny but I quite liked it for the deadpan style or delivery of comedy featured. I imagine many people have gone through perhaps similar types of low points in life, with relationships on the rocks and issues at work etc.
The plot aspect relating to rivalries within italian ice cream families was intriguing to an extent (I know there was such a thing as the 'Glasgow ice cream wars' in the 80s, when this film was set and made) and the scenes in which there appears to be an almost Godfather type figure/character may seem a bit fanciful but it is, I assume, based on truth and it makes for certainly an entertaining watch, even though its perhaps a little slow to build, pace wise. I also liked it for the setting, given I live in central Scotland - I recognised some of the landscapes featured, even though this film dates from a few decades back. I also quite liked the soundtrack, which predominantly consists of Dire Straits tracks - my parents are quite keen on them, so I recognised the style of music. It also made me think of the (also Scottish) film 'Local Hero', which is also directed by the same director, Bill Forsyth. Their both good films in terms of offering early 1980s Scottish nostalgia, I'd say and so I'd recommend it. Oh and the constantly repeating ice cream van jingle is a bit spooky sounding, adding to the slightly sinister side of it.
Rated 3.5/5 Stars •
Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars
03/31/23
Full Review
Audience Member
Watched it because a reviewer said it was better than "Local Hero". It was slow starting but landed up being a pleasant diversion, from a simpler time.
Rated 4/5 Stars •
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
01/28/23
Full Review
r 9
A nice, amusing and creative premise.
I enjoyed 'Comfort and Joy'. Bill Paterson heads events confidently as Alan, he's fun to watch in the lead. Patrick Malahide ('Game of Thrones', 'Luther') is in there too, while Alex Norton and Roberto Bernardi play their respective roles well.
The pacing, to me at least, is a little off at around the midway point, but otherwise it's a pleasant film from 1984. Watch it if you get the opportunity.
Rated 3/5 Stars •
Rated 3 out of 5 stars
03/31/23
Full Review
bill t
Rather bizarre little movie about a DJ, dealing with his girlfriend suddenly dumping him, being caught up in an ice cream war between two rival companies. It's all a bit off kilter, the ending is sort of strange, and there are subplots you're not too sure why they're there, but it's a bit of a strange curio and simple enough that it's quite watchable.
Rated 4/5 Stars •
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
03/30/23
Full Review
Audience Member
Like so many British films it tries to be humorous and only occasionally succeeds, while not being realistic enough to be taken seriously. The story line was light with little glamour or romance, and not much of a Glaswegian feel to the film. Perhaps it was that the accents weren't strong enough and even the baddies didn't swear much. At least there was plenty of dialogue, and no long action sequences, so the film retained my interest. The 80's cars, hairstyles and actors no longer seen were the most interesting things.
Rated 2.5/5 Stars •
Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars
02/23/23
Full Review
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