Comedy Drama Movies

Funny movies with a bit of substance to them

AMY

WHO IS IN IT: Brilliant 8 year old newcomer Alana de Roma in the title role, Rachel Griffiths as her mother, Ben Mendelsohn as their songwriter/singer neighbour and Nick Barker as her father. Various other character roles support.
WHAT IT IS ABOUT : When Amy is a young child she is on the road with her mother and rockstar father when he is brutally electrocuted during a rainy outdoor concert, in front of her eyes. Since then she has experienced hysterical deafness, losing her ability to hear or speak due to psychological factors. After 4 years living on an isolated outback farm with her mother, and hounded by welfare workers, they are forced to move to the city. They move to a run down area of Melbourne where odd neighbours abound. One neighbour, a singer/songwriter who often plays music on his front porch, realises that Amy can indeed hear music and also that she can sing. With the help of a kindly child psychologist Amy's hearing and mental health are ultimately restored.
WHAT I THOUGHT ABOUT IT : Amy is primarily a dramatic film, but it is treated in a largely humourous way by director Nadia Tass,as is her style.One high point of humour is the singing police force who search for Amy when she runs away. The movie is also frequently interspersed with the music of Nick Barker as we flash back to learn how he died, and the strumming and singing of Ben Mendelsohn (all songs by Nick Barker).Its a uniquely Australian movie with lots of vivid characters, stunning singing from Alana de Roma, and real life drama.
ROUNDUP: I thought Amy was a very special movie with a great mix that made it unusual and entertaining. It was worth watching for Alana de Roma's dramatic and vocal performance alone.

PATCH ADAMS

WHO IS IN IT: Robin Williams stars in the title role in this true life story of Hunter "Patch" Adams. Patch is a gifted man who decides he wants to help others by becoming a doctor after he spends time in a mental institution with suicidal tendencies. He embarks on his medical career while in unorthodox ways begins to entertain and cheer terminally ill patients in the attached hospital, much to the horror of the medical establishment. The movie is the story of his battle with that establishment over his three years there, and about his friends (newcomers Daniel London as Truman and Monica Potter as Corinne his girlfriend) and their endeavours (such as starting a free clinic for those without health insurance) and life during that period. The movie culminates with his graduation and the trailers feature an outline of his life afterwards.

WHAT I THOUGHT ABOUT IT: I absolutely loved Patch Adams. After reading woeful reviews I wondered whether to see it, but followed my instinct and was glad I did. There are lots of laughs, lots of feel good moments, a great message and food for thought. Above all, I think this movie is a character study of a very special man, and I feel RObin Williams captured the essence of that man very well. I didnt think much of Flubber or What Dreams May Come, but I truly enjoyed this one.

ROUNDUP:A feel good movie with plenty of laughs and plenty to think about.Recommended viewing for adults and children over about 8. My 8 year old daughter really enjoyed it, but be warned, the subject of death is prominent.

AS GOOD AS IT GETS

WHO IS IN IT: Jack Nicholson as an obsessive compulsive recluse authour in a New York apartment building, Greg Kinnear as his gay artist neighbour,Cuba Gooding Junior as the neighbours manager, and Helen Hunt (Mad about you) as the waitress at the local diner
WHAT IT IS ABOUT: The story centres around Nicholson's character Melvin Udall, who at first appears as eccentric and mean spirited. However, as the movie progresses we see that Melvin is in fact an obsessive compulsive personality, facing many difficulties with his daily life. Carol the waitress has a sick child she is trying to care for as a lone parent, and suffers a lot of confusion and anxiety about her relationships and general ability to cope with life. Simon the neghbour is broke after being robbed and beaten and has horrendous problems with his parents. Through various circumstances this mismatched , odd trio find themselves thrown together and end up forming lifelong relationships.
WHAT I THOUGHT ABOUT IT: I enjoyed the movie. I felt the acting was excellent, especially on Helen Hunt's part. The script was clever and fairly fast-paced, and the characters developed well. It is a story about ordinary people, albeit ones with a few more problems than the average, and how they cope and interrelate with eachother. The comedic aspects of the film were in the most part pathos, and served to lighten quite well a plot that could have been otherwise heavy going. I felt that Jack Nicholson was a bit old to be considered a serious love interest for Helen Hunt, but then there are undoubtedly those who would disagree.
ROUND-UP:Its not the type of movie I would normally see, but I went with my husband who would probably have given it an extra star.If you think it may be your cup of tea, then you will probably love it!

THE FULL MONTY

WHO IS IN IT:
The lead role is played by Robert Carlisle, the Scottish actor best known for the "Hamish McBeth" series on ABC TV.The remaining cast members have familiar faces to those who watch British television shows. The characterisation is very good.
WHAT IT IS ABOUT:
The action is set in a northern English town where the steel mill has closed, causing all the problems associated with unemployment.For Carlisles character, this means inability to pay maintenance, and the threat of losing part custody of his son. After seeing the phenomenal response by local women to a travelling strip show, he has the idea of forming a strip show of his own with his mates, to raise funds. With quite a few hilarious problems along the way, he eventually manages to enlist the services of half a dozen other unemployed men and create an entertaining act, which promises to go "THE FULL MONTY" (totally naked) in order to attract audiences.
WHAT I THOUGHT ABOUT IT:
I, along with the rest of the audience, laughed all through "The Full Monty". It is a very funny and entertaining film, but with a real comment about human vulnerability thrown in. The acting performances were strong throughout.
ROUNDUP:
I would recommend "The Full Monty" to anyone who would like a laugh over the holidays. Its very non-offensive - I found it quite sweet and refreshing, and a nice diversion from all the big budget splashy American movies.