Between the two World Wars, a Scottish family deals with financial issues and conflict over an estate, and a young member of the family (Robert Norman) recalls with humor and pathos those who surrounded his young life. Based on the early years of future British TV executive Denis Forman, they mainly deal with his memories of his father, Colin Firth, his firm but often humorous grandmother, Rosemary Harris, and his uncle Malcolm McDowell who hope that he would inherit the estate. Norman has a vivid imagination, and many of the things that he asks about (many of them sexual in nature) gets him into trouble and provides a little bit of humor although it is a bit exaggerated. He checks to see if his "gamma" (Harris) is still alive by sneaking into her bedroom and putting a mirror under her nose, getting into a bit of trouble which results in a further bond between the young boy and the old lady.
There are also issues between Firth and his wife, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, torn between her brother and her husband, and dealing with Firth's infidelities. The beautiful Scottish countryside where the estate is certainly is breathtaking, leaving Young Norman to lots of adventures. When you have a cast like this, the acting is going to be excellent, and Harris certainly is a commanding matriarch just as she has been for several decades. Firth is a handsome and charming rogue, and young Norman is delightfully cute. A jazzy version of "On the Sunny Side of the Street" provides a great background. The direction by Hugh Hudson is solid and production values excellent. Fans of the epic saga, "Downton Abbey", will certainly enjoy the slice of life stories of this family. Harris certainly is as formidable as Maggie Smith in that show, getting many witty moments, but a shocking finale.
There are also issues between Firth and his wife, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, torn between her brother and her husband, and dealing with Firth's infidelities. The beautiful Scottish countryside where the estate is certainly is breathtaking, leaving Young Norman to lots of adventures. When you have a cast like this, the acting is going to be excellent, and Harris certainly is a commanding matriarch just as she has been for several decades. Firth is a handsome and charming rogue, and young Norman is delightfully cute. A jazzy version of "On the Sunny Side of the Street" provides a great background. The direction by Hugh Hudson is solid and production values excellent. Fans of the epic saga, "Downton Abbey", will certainly enjoy the slice of life stories of this family. Harris certainly is as formidable as Maggie Smith in that show, getting many witty moments, but a shocking finale.