American Friends

Audience Reviews

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Steve C A convincing depiction of what Victorian society might have been like. 'Goodbye, Mr. Chips' without the melodrama and posturing . The acting is subtle and believable, especially from Connie Booth. Darwinism, sexual repression, male-dominated hierarchies and the position of women are neatly skewered. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/17/25 Full Review nick s A lot of effort went into sets, costumes and makeup. But to be honest the movie was a little too dull for my attention span. Rated 3/5 Stars •  Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/27/24 Full Review Fi S Incredibly dull acting. Yet set among stunning giants of locations - Swiss Alps and Oxford University. Yet nothing could raise this dead cast to life. Palin acts like a carrot. Rated 2/5 Stars •  Rated 2 out of 5 stars 06/19/23 Full Review Audience Member A beautiful film . From a time and a world does not exist anymore . Unfortunately for us . It is amazing for me that today what is beautiful , full of substance , real values , qualities , is not appreciated anymore .Only cruelty , ugliness, violence attract people of today .WE HAVE WHAT WE ASK . I give this film 4 stars and a half from five . Rated 4.5/5 Stars •  Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/14/23 Full Review Audience Member <i>''We will achieve nothing as a species if we cannot adapt.'' </i> Francis Ashby, a senior Oxford don on holiday alone in the Alps, meets holidaying American Caroline and her companion Elinor, the blossoming Irish-American girl she adopted many years before. Ashby finds he enjoys their company together, particularly that of Elinor, and both the women are drawn to him. Back at Oxford he is nevertheless taken aback when they arrive unannounced. Women are not allowed in the College grounds, let alone the rooms. Indeed any liaison, however innocent, is frowned on. <b>Michael Palin</b>: Reverend Francis Ashby <b>Alfred Molina</b>: Oliver Syme <b>Susan Denaker</b>: Mrs. Cantrell <i>American Friends</i> is a movie that tells of a bygone era that isn't as long as it seems. The difference in social ideals compared today is always fascinating. Michael Palin has proven before he is more than a comedian from seeing <i>Brazil</i> to a <i>Fish Called Wanda</i>. <i>American Friends</i> is also an example indeed. Loved the scientific side of life in the lectures. Alfred Molina gives a varied performance even having a scruffy beard to boot. On a whole the film does have a feel of being something of TV standing as opposed to something of grandeur in filming. Granted I'm an Englishman that enjoys his period flicks and loves history so it gains more prestige with me for its wonderful costumes and quaint locations. A simple tale of love which i admit has been done before. A good effort. <CENTER><i>Education in love</i></CENTER> Rated 3/5 Stars •  Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/24/23 Full Review Audience Member I'm a Michael (but not Sarah) Palin fan, so I decided to stay up late to watch it on TV. It's a typical British Victorian costume drama, similar to "Room with a View" or "French Lieutenant's Woman"--more of a chick flick. Good impression of what Oxford was like in the 19th C. I enjoyed the plot twist at the end when they explained that it was a real story based on Palin's great-grandfather. As the previous poster mentioned, the story moves rather slowly & the main characters make some rather unexpected, irrational decisions, but overall I liked it. Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/23/23 Full Review Read all reviews

American Friends

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