Review of Sunshine on Leith (2013) by Johnny T — 06 Aug 2014

Shamelessly contrived in the manner of most jukebox musicals, and more than a wee bit precious, the movie has little use for emotional shadings as it flogs its feel-good charms. The story is a bit predictable and rough around the edges. But it's heart-on-the-sleeve sweet. Fans of The Proclaimers will obviously eat this up while non-fans will appreciate the dramatic salt sprinkled over the musical sweetness that keeps this from becoming twee. What's surprising about actor-turned-filmmaker Dexter Fletcher's enthusiastic attempt to bring the songs of Craig and Charlie Reid to the screen is how alive it is to the way pop music can lift people out of the ordinariness of the everyday. Thankfully more pleasing than patronising, Sunshine on Leith works because it's not universal; while tidied up, it's still peculiar to a place and people. When it moves away from its musical numbers, the film feels less certain, falling into soap-opera shenanigans around rejected marriage proposals, long-lost daughters and plot-changing heart attacks.

VERDICT: "In The Zone" - [Mixed Reaction] These kinds of movies are usually movies that had some good things, but some bad things kept it from being amazing. This rating says buy an ex-rental or a cheap price of the DVD to own. If you consider cinema, ask for people's opinion on the film. (Films that are rated 2.5 or 3 stars).