I adore this film. Sometimes I've found Victoria Wood's work too female-oriented, but this is just outstanding, bittersweet entertainment with a wonderful cast and virtually faultless script.
The premise is that two sisters were separated at a young age and totally lost touch. Now, 25 years on, the older one, Pat (Julie Walters), has fought her way to the world of American soaps, and achieved international fame and a huge fortune. Margaret (Wood), though, hasn't fared as well and works in a motorway cafe, lives in a bed-sit and has a faltering relationship with an illiterate mummy's boy. All fairly grim.
They are reunited unexpectedly on a TV show called Magic Moments, and neither is ecstatic about each others' company. Pat especially is furious and scared by the unwelcome nostalgia, and is extremely cruel about her dowdy sister. However, they slowly develop a bond as a common mission to find the mother who abandoned them and forced them apart unites them.
The characters are beautifully drawn, especially the late Thora Hird as the over-bearing, interfering mother of Margaret's decent boyfriend Jim. Wood and Walters are fantastic, and have worked together so often that their rapport comes naturally. Celia Imrie and Duncan Preston, both regular features of Victoria Wood's work, are excellent in support.
I can't think of many more moving British comedy-dramas than this one, which is so cleverly written performed with such class and enthusiasm. There are loads of laughs and moments of pathos, and the ending leaves you with exactly the kind of feel-good buzz you want. Superb.
The premise is that two sisters were separated at a young age and totally lost touch. Now, 25 years on, the older one, Pat (Julie Walters), has fought her way to the world of American soaps, and achieved international fame and a huge fortune. Margaret (Wood), though, hasn't fared as well and works in a motorway cafe, lives in a bed-sit and has a faltering relationship with an illiterate mummy's boy. All fairly grim.
They are reunited unexpectedly on a TV show called Magic Moments, and neither is ecstatic about each others' company. Pat especially is furious and scared by the unwelcome nostalgia, and is extremely cruel about her dowdy sister. However, they slowly develop a bond as a common mission to find the mother who abandoned them and forced them apart unites them.
The characters are beautifully drawn, especially the late Thora Hird as the over-bearing, interfering mother of Margaret's decent boyfriend Jim. Wood and Walters are fantastic, and have worked together so often that their rapport comes naturally. Celia Imrie and Duncan Preston, both regular features of Victoria Wood's work, are excellent in support.
I can't think of many more moving British comedy-dramas than this one, which is so cleverly written performed with such class and enthusiasm. There are loads of laughs and moments of pathos, and the ending leaves you with exactly the kind of feel-good buzz you want. Superb.