I just caught this little gem off HULU the other day, and it's a winner. I've always been a fan of Donal Logue, one of those actors who can be thrust into just about any film, contemporary or period piece, any genre, leading or supporting role, and can add something to the film. "Almost Heaven" is no exception.
Logue stars as a near-40 alcoholic filmmaker given one last shot- at directing a fishing TV show in Scotland hosted by his ex-wife, so he reluctantly travels there to try to make it work. Possible SPOILER- one thing I liked about the film was how the adversarial relationship between he and his ex-wife ultimately evolves into a partnership. I didn't see that coming at all. Also, some REALLY nice looking Scottish females in this. Tom Conti co-stars.
Plot summary
A Canadian television director is hired to salvage an international fishing show in Scotland. The only hitch: his ex-wife is the host. What he finds in Scotland is love in the form of a local fishing guide (called a ghillie) and the chance to repair his life and his friendship with his ex-wife with whom he had a child who died.
Uploaded by: FREEMAN
January 10, 2024 at 01:18 AM
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A Real Catch!
Delightful Romantic Comedy
I like movies with original storyline and this movie does have that. The Movie is not a slapstick comedy but a light one based mostly on the typical Scottish refined satire. Like Irish satire, it is delivered with a tone that we expect from kind words and can be melodious at times, hence my choice for 'delightful'. The principal characters have flaws and problems that render them human and likable. Wise people know that it is the little imperfections that attract us to one another, the reason, and there is a good one, would be too long to explain. This movie exploits that very concept but in a gentle unassuming way. Those characters evolve as the story develops, a sign of good story writing; the outcome is somewhat predictable, not glaringly so, but then again all romantic comedies and romance stories are. Tragedies are the same, predictability wise; it should only be considered a fault if the type of movie was a suspense, a thriller or an adventure. By the end of the movie you feel acquainted with almost all the characters, not just the key ones. I was pleased with the movie as a whole, including the choice for the title; it's a perfect choice. For those who get immersed in the story, the title is like the final brush-stroke on a painting. I was smitten by Kirsty Mitchell. I feel it deserves a good rating because it did not leave me indifferent.
Not heavenly but a pretty nice little flick, lovely scenery from Scotland
Mark (Donal Logue, from Just Like Heaven, among other films) is a television director who has seen better days. This is all his own doing, since the bottle is his best friend and he bends the elbow frequently. However, he is not without talent when sober. Therefore, he is sent to Scotland to direct a fishing show that has some issues. Once he lands, Mark tries very hard to stay out of the pubs. The shows' production crew also gives him plenty of advice, as does the host of the show, beautiful Taya (Joely Collins). Unfortunately, as Taya is his ex-wife, Mark has no intentions of falling for her manipulations. Before long, Mark is drinking again. But, he shows up for work on time and boasts to the crew that if they will just follow his direction, the program will be a smash success! Can Mark make good on his rash promise and is there any future for romance where the director is concerned, too? This is a beautiful film, capturing the best of Scottish scenery and locales. Logue, too, charms as only a rogue can while the rest of the cast is quite nice as well. Viewers will enjoy the lively script and direction, also. If you are perpetually fishing for movies that are far from that "Hollywood Scene", this one is a big catch so reel it in soon.