The Memory Book - review

When photographer Clare comes across a memory book full of photos of a couple, she becomes convinced they are the picture of happiness. Searching for the perfect relationship, Clare buys the book and sets upon trying to trace the happy couple.

Along with a bartender she met at her own photographic exhibition, Clare tries all she can to discover who the couple are in the hope she can discover the secret to happiness.

As she travels to locations depicted in the book, Clare and Gabe end up creating memories of their own and when they track down Sarah they’re disappointed to find out she and Jonathan didn’t get married as planned and aim to bring them back together.

This TV rom-com was quite sweet in a way, but wasn’t as good as I’d hoped.

Did you hear about the Morgans? - review

Sarah Jessica Parker and Hugh Grant star as Meryl and Paul Morgan, a separated couple whose successful careers as a Real Estate Agent and Lawyer in New York take up most of their time. As they try once more to rekindle their relationship during a meal out, they inadvertently witness a murder and before they know it are forced to enter Witness Protection.

Ending up placed in the small rural town of Ray, Wyoming, Meryl and Paul struggle with the lack of hustle and bustle and have no idea how to survive without technology, but as they begin to adjust to the simple life which includes horse riding and chopping wood, they realise that although Paul’s infidelity may have caused them to split up, they are both guilty of not investing time to spend together.

As the New York Police work hard to solve the case, Meryl and Paul decide to work on their relationship and blend in with the locals and when their new life comes under threat, the local townspeople come to their rescue and they are free to return to New York.

Delighted to be able to return to the life they love, Meryl & Paul can’t wait to get back to how they used to live, but when they do return they are no longer an estranged couple, but a family ready to love and support each other.

I found this rom-com to be slightly over-acted by Sarah Jessica Parker in places, but I enjoyed the simple humour Hugh Grant brings to all his roles and found myself rooting for them as a couple.

Fear - Review

When 16 year old Nicole attract the eye of David, an older guy, she has no idea how far he will go in his quest to make her his.

As they begin to spend time together, David injects himself into family life, but Nicole’s father Steven doesn’t like him. 

From the first time he hears David order Nicole around he knows he’s bad news, but with Nicole, her younger brother Toby and step-mother Laura enjoying his company, it’s hard for him to get them to see his true colours, that is until Nicole comes home with a black eye.

Insisting it’s the result of a volleyball match, Nicole begins to see David is a new light and avoids him, but David isn’t ready to give up on her that easily and makes sure no matter how far he has to go, he will strike fear into her family.

An exciting thriller of obsession starring Reese Witherspoon & Mark Wahlberg which although included violence and tense moments, left me unfulfilled.

Although a change of role for both lead actors, I felt there could have been a lot more to this movie including more background into what drove the obsession and why David was the character he was.

Silver Linings Playbook - review

Pat is a former high school teacher who having spent the past 8 months in a psychiatric clinic for bi-polar is ready to get back into reality and try and patch up his marriage. But while his parents are happy he’s out of the clinic and ready to get on with life, they struggle with his mood swings and his determination to get back with his wife, despite her restraining order against him.

As he begins to reconnect with his old life, Pat attends a dinner party at a friend’s house where he meets Tiffany, a depressed widow with a passion for dance who is struggling with the death of her husband and though they both have their problems, Pat realises that they have a lot in common.

But while Pat is desperate to reconnect with his wife, Tiffany’s ambition is to enter a paired dancing competition, so they decide to work together to help each other out, but as they do, they both realise it’s time to leave behind their past and move forward – together.

Starring Bradley Cooper, Oscar winning Jennifer Lawrence & Robert De Niro, this movie was one which I had wanted to watch ever since it was released and I’m glad I did.

Based on the novel by Matthew Quick, Silver Linings Playbook is a heart warming tale showing how the support of friends & family can help prevent mental illness taking over your life.