Review of Tamara Drewe (2010) by Heidi K — 10 Sep 2010

I can't remember when I last laughed so loud in a film as in Tamara Drewe! Some scenes are just achingly amusing and sometimes I couldn't hold it together and I was bursting into tears because I was laughing so much that I almost couldn't catch my breath.

Well, the actors contribute a great amount to the cheerfulness of this film because if it wasn't for their jolly acting it would only be half as good. For example, Roger Allam just has to look into the camera and you can't help but laugh all the time.

Gemma Arterton is absolutely charming, playing well the naive and somehow sad girl coming back to her hometown, while behaving like a femme fatale. She is truly perfect for that role. The whole cast is actually damn well chosen! Anyway, the story is quite effective and clever at times, with some ingenious lines and well distributed jokes.

This is straight-forward British entertainment at its best. It's hugely enjoyable! Best of all...the most fatal moment in this film is actually the one that makes you laugh most (I won't reveal too much, just see for yourself!) and this is why I believe that Stephen Frears is plain brilliant.