Change Your Image
richardmeredith
Reviews
Isn't Life Wonderful! (1953)
Bright and Breezy Treat
I am a little surprised by the reviewers of this little gem. It is bright and breezy with a top cast and good set comedy moments. Cecil Parker is at his best as a pompous middle class father facing his bucolic brother-in-law (a magnificent Donald Wolfit) and new technology: the telephone and bicycle. His myriad relations , including a vapid nephew about to marry an American heiress are good dressing for the main plot, but carry out their parts with some vim. However, the pieces between Willie, Father , observed and commentated on by his son (Peter Asher) make this film Wildean Theatre. And which young boy would not like an Uncle like Willie, who sings jaunty songs, tells great stories and takes his side against the 'grown-ups'.! Amid all this wit and jollity look out for the single sad scene on the beach when the boy wished he had some one to play with, a moment which resets the emotions.
I've put this on my keep list if only for the bicycle unpacking scene.
Young Sheldon: A Docent, A Little Lady and a Bouncer Named Dalton (2020)
Unusual and Welcome storyline
There are three sub-plots in this episode. Firstly, Sheldon gets a Saturday Job in a train Museum. Although we have to stretch our imagination to see how a 12 year old could legally be involved at that level, it is comedic and does tie in a regular BBT theme.
Secondly we have Mary's Patrick Swayze obsession. Such fun and the triangular relationship between her, George and Georgie was so well written that it was a pity that it could not have been given more time to develop. And who would have thought that Georgie could pass as a Patrick Swayze lookalike!
The third story-line is the gem. I can't remember any sit com or comedy drama dealing with a girl's first period. Very sensitively and, I think, confidently performed by George and Missy. Schools would do well to consider this for sex-ed classes.
Young Sheldon: An Introduction to Engineering and a Glob of Hair Gel (2021)
Should have been binned
I hate to write this, being a fan of Young Sheldon, and its cast but this script should have been binned before production.
What we are invited to enjoy is a 12 year old boy being ruthlessly bullied by his teacher. I'm afraid the incident is tantamount to Child abuse.
I accept we are expected to believe that Sheldon is at University without a Chaperone - most unlikely when 12 year old Ruth Lawrence entered Oxford University to study Maths in 1989, she was chaperoned until graduation; but for a professor to treat him that way. Sorry , I can't see the humour. Even more disturbing was the scene where the President and professor belittle his physical anguish. I sorry, but if I was George Cooper I wouldn't just chat to Sheldon's teacher I would probably smack him one for his abusive behaviour.