Review of Tamara Drewe (2010) by Dana A — 21 Jun 2011

Pretty adorable British-comedy. Nothing really special about the film, funny at time and Gemma Arterton is decent as always. The story sort of meanders between the various characters, and there's not much of a central theme, other than how Tamara is a bit lost in life and how that plays havoc on the small town she returns to.

I'd describe it as occasionally amusing, instead of funny. Interesting enough to watch once, but you probably won't be in a rush to see it again. This is a fanciful film that leads nowhere. Tamara Drewe as a title character is flat and uncaring.

She has little in the backbone of her life given to the audience and undergoes minimal change. She is portrayed as a woman renewed - and uses this second lease of confidence with little care for those close to her, but with a clear head of perceptiveness.

Gemma Arterton's batting eyes and smulder only get this character so far, and when a film revolves around such a void character - little more can be done. The film attempts to turn this into a point of recovery and learning by its conclusion - but it is too far gone to sway the audience.