Review of Beautiful Kate (2009) by Adrian E — 18 Aug 2009

The old 'prodigal son comes home and opens up old familial wounds' scenario is not a cinematic theme I've ever enjoyed much, which is unfortunate because Beautiful Kate is so well acted and has such an easy, natural feel to it, I really wanted to like it more.

No-one is having much fun during Ned's visit back home - me included. The family is full of unsympathetic characters and the split time-frame, although expertly and imaginatively straddling from one to the other, means we are never fully immersed into either world.

Entire cast is superb, but this was one relentlessly downbeat family reunion that I wouldn't want to go through again.