Very Annie Mary was not quite the film that I had expected from reading the synopsis on the DVD jacket. While it is along the same vein as Billy Elliot and Little Voice it is not quite the same quality as either of those films. However saying that it does have some high points as well. The characters are believable (for the most part), and often manage to make you smile, laugh or become totally frustrated. Unfortunately, the attitudes and behaviours of a few characters go on for overly long, and it made me feel like saying, "Yes, thank you, I get the point. He's a jerk, now what happens?" That was a bit trying at times.
As a whole the movie moves extremely slowly, and in my opinion, the events that happened towards the end were held off for entirely too long trying to draw the story out. There were several parts in the film that were of the "Right, keep going, get on with it!" type because it was actually dragging along and trying to build too much and give too much in-depth on events that didn't need it, but there were other parts in the film that were absolutely delightful. I adore the singing that is typically found in all Welsh related films, this was an absolute highlight and managed to make me smile. I also thought that Rachel Griffiths did a very good job as Annie Mary. She even managed to make me laugh out loud a few times. The characters who owned the little shop, I believe their names were Hob and Nob, cracked me up, and really helped this film in a few of the slower parts.
The saving grace of Very Annie Mary is the ending which is actually quite touching and well done. As I mention, it simply took over-long to reach that stage.
It is definitely not "the worst" movie you could watch, and was not a total waste of time. But it wasn't superb, or as well written as I'd expected. I'd honestly have to say it's quite an average feel good sort of movie when you take the good aspects with the bad.
6 out of 10 for me...
As a whole the movie moves extremely slowly, and in my opinion, the events that happened towards the end were held off for entirely too long trying to draw the story out. There were several parts in the film that were of the "Right, keep going, get on with it!" type because it was actually dragging along and trying to build too much and give too much in-depth on events that didn't need it, but there were other parts in the film that were absolutely delightful. I adore the singing that is typically found in all Welsh related films, this was an absolute highlight and managed to make me smile. I also thought that Rachel Griffiths did a very good job as Annie Mary. She even managed to make me laugh out loud a few times. The characters who owned the little shop, I believe their names were Hob and Nob, cracked me up, and really helped this film in a few of the slower parts.
The saving grace of Very Annie Mary is the ending which is actually quite touching and well done. As I mention, it simply took over-long to reach that stage.
It is definitely not "the worst" movie you could watch, and was not a total waste of time. But it wasn't superb, or as well written as I'd expected. I'd honestly have to say it's quite an average feel good sort of movie when you take the good aspects with the bad.
6 out of 10 for me...