Stars:
***
Rating: PG-13 for
language and some sexual content
Run
Time: 1
hour, 38 minutes
Rupert
Grint deftly sidesteps Hogwarts’ Ravenclaws and Slytherins in this sweet coming
of age drama vaguely reminiscent of Hal Ashby’s 1971 classic “Harold and
Maude”.
Grint is
17-year old Ben Marshall, an awkward bookish boy who toes a hard line under his
demanding mom (Laura Linney as Laura) and his quietly discouraged dad. To add
insult to injury Ben is forced to spend his summer holiday in bible classes and
learning behind the wheel with mom.
He finally
breaks out of the mold by taking a job with an aging actress named Evie Walton
(Julie Walters) who is searching for a companion. Someone to help around the
house, maybe take a road trip or two.
Evie is
pure movie magic – an eccentric of the old school who swears like a
longshoreman yet brings the power of her wisdom to every frame. In her custody
Ben unfurls like a rose, encouraged to see his home life for the stifling
cocoon it really is.
Writer/director
Jeremy Brock does a fine job of keeping his scripting fresh while reigning in
the narrative; tight, witty and keeping within the bounds of decorum.
Unfortunately the climax steps a bit over-the-top, caught up in a mad potential
for slapstick.
Walters and
Grint play off one another with ease, both taking something precious away from
their burgeoning friendship. Linney does bitch-mode with a perfectly suitable
English accent.
Sweet,
light and satisfying.