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James W It's been my favourite movie for a long time. There's something beautiful about the way they contrast meaningless corporate life with the beauty and charm of a slower more wholesome existence. I love the way the music is intertwined throughout and it brings a tear to my eye every time i rewatch it. A true timeless classic. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/11/24 Full Review T Z This movie should be in everyone's Top 100 List, whether it's in the Top 10, or the Bottom Ten, or the Middle 50, doesn't really matter. I give it 5 Stars, because it may not be a perfect movie, but it's perfect in it's own way. For what it is, it's a 5 Star film. It has dramatic moments, but it's not a drama. It's funny, but not a laugh riot. It's a very ca;m film that has a calming effect on the character Mac who initially didn't want the assignment and was just anxious to get it over with and go back to his life. And some viewers may feel like that too. But you have to get into the slow pace and let it work it's magic. The problem is it's in a Class by itself. You don't find other movies like this one, especially today. You find bit of it here and there. There are other Magical Realism films. Or other 80s movies. Plenty of Fish-Out-Of-Water stuff out there. But nothing combines all it's many elements in quite this way. It's been compared to Brigadoon. It's a place doesn't exist in the real world. The little seaside town and Ben's Beach are actually 100 miles apart. But you wish it did, and maybe, that's enough. So, when you're longing to go there, you can go back watch it, and get that calm feeling again. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/22/24 Full Review Randy F I first saw the film 1983 when I was a young and idealistic soul, I was mesmerized by the heart and humanistic view of the world, by a great sublime, and vastly overlooked director, Bill Forsyth. Burt Lancaster and Peter Riegert were never better, I saw the film again... now my innocence is gone replaced with cynicism but the film still left me with a tear in my eye and gave me a glitter of hope. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/10/24 Full Review Alec B Each moment where you expect something more conventional to happen the movie veers towards the unexpected and even there it surprises you with it's low-key and subtle storytelling. Rated 4.5/5 Stars •  Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/09/24 Full Review S R 1001 movies to see before you die (2013). Another lost Flixster rating. I remember that I enjoyed the aspects of Scottish culture, but didn't like some of the political agendas. Saw on TCM. Rated 2.5/5 Stars •  Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 12/07/23 Full Review Red T It's a good charming, sentimental, low key movie. Decent music but not used enough and can be a bit dry at points. The acting is decent but the main issue is Mac & his friend don't have much charisma and just kind of blend in somewhat. There isn't many characters aside from the villagers and Gordon so it doesn't get in the way of anything but they don't have the presence of Lancaster who is the best actor in this even though he doesn't get much time. Also while this is a solid paced and edited film in the middle it can tend to drift a little bit and events just sort of happen as we jump between our two main leads but it does follow a loose enough flow of events and character progression. The last 20 minutes especially once we focus on Ben things start to recover and it gets interesting and really charming and wraps up well. I was surprised how everyone had a defined character arc also. The best thing is the cinematography with amazing sweeping shots of the environment and great camerawork. The setting is really memorable also. The main issue is as beautifully done as the shots are it doesn't pop oddly enough. I think part of that is because of the abrupt cuts and the greyish/dark colors taking a second to notice but its still really well done. I think slower merge transitions would've worked better. This is a solid low key gem though that anyone who is a fan of any actors in this, the director, or 80's dramas will like. Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 08/23/23 Full Review Read all reviews

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