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Reviews
Doc Martin (2004)
We all love it!!
Spoilers.... I happened upon Doc Martin on Netflix and became a fan almost immediately. I then mentioned the show to my parents, who've watched it every day since. Next I introduced it to my husband, who watches very little TV, and he loves it. I even caught him laughing to himself the other day, and when I asked him what was funny, he said "I was just thinking about Doc Martin". It's a comedy first, a drama second. So don't take it so seriously. Doctor Martin Ellingham is a high powered London surgeon who leaves his prestigious position to work as a gp in Cornwall. Kind of Eliza Doolittle in reverse. It goes further than My Fair Lady though by showing what happens next....after the doctor and local teacher fall in love things get messy, and funny and sad. He's a dedicated super human md who seems to hate almost everyone, is hysterically grumpy and rude and yet despite this the health of the community is his calling. Add to that quirky towns folks, beautiful scenery, a lovely leading lady and medical mysteries. Martin Clunes will surprise you when he makes you laugh and cry, more than once. He's a superb actor and fantastic physical comedian. I was also impressed with Caroline Catzs abilities. In one particular scene she plays with her mother you can actually see her reverting from a grown woman to a little girl and back again just by the expressions on her face. Doc Martin was a wonderful surprise and I hope they will continue the series for years to come. Lots of possibilities for great story lines adding a child to the cast. My only criticism would be that, as well as the actors have aged, it's doubtful they'll be able to pull off the role as parents of an infant much longer. Hopefully little James will have aged a bit quicker by next season. After all Louisa was 37 when she was pregnant 7 or 8 years ago and the baby just turned 1 in the last season.
My Father's House (1975)
Worth watching
I agree with the previous reviewer that the story is a downer, but there are some nice moments, all in the flashback scenes.
The "spanking " scene and "racing to be first in the bathroom in the morning" made me chuckle. I loved the scene by the lake with the father teaching his kids the song to surprise their mother.
There were also some holes in the story. Also it appeared the father lived to an old age.. Not so sad, like "all the way home", but it left you feeling sad. Perhaps it shouldn't have.
As a side note, I found it interesting how much the two main actors playing father and son resembled each other, Robert Preston and Cliff Robertson.
Finnegan Begin Again (1985)
Great life lessons for everyone...and funny!
Anyone who has been married or been in a relationship, whether good or bad, will find something they can relate to in this movie. It is a story about what it means to truly love and be loved.
Micheal Finnegan cares for his mentally incompetent wife for 20 years though he could have put her in an Alzheimer's unit somewhere and probably lived a very nice life. Elizabeth Dehaan realizes that her dead end relationship with a married man is not real love, just "cotton candy".
Elizabeth and Michael have a great friendship where they do things for each other. " real love is what you do for each other". When they find love, the 20 year age difference seems to be more of an issue for Michael ( he is thinking of her), but her response of "would you trade 10 good years for 40 indifferent ones?" Rings true. Some other memorable lines are " if only flesh and spirit could grow at the same pace", and " why do you expect to find the secrets of life in somebody else?"
The ending is a little convenient with the death of Michael's wife... And one has to wonder what would have happened with the couple if she survived and came back home to live.
It's an uplifting movie with very funny scenes, beautifully acted by Mary Tyler Moore and Robert Preston. Preston is especially good, and who couldn't fall for Mary, beautiful and witty. Sam Waterston and Silvia Sidney also do a great job. I think most people will find the emotions real, and the ones in a May/ September relationship or considering starting one, will really appreciate it. I bet there are more of those out there than most people realize.