There is the kernel of a great movie here. If only the tone of the first third had been maintained throughout it would have made for a wonderful satire of British politics and diplomacy. But something went horribly wrong and the worst clichés of romantic comedy were allowed to take over. The career-driven wife who alienates her man; the ridiculously good looking soldier who is eventually thrown over for the hapless, earnest, naive everyman; the "unexpected" plot twist that brings the reluctant couple together in the end. It's all here.
Ewan McGregor and Emily Blunt struggle valiantly against the rising waters for a while, but before long the dam bursts and the preposterousness of the plot simply sweeps this film away. Look, I know that this is hardly intended to be a documentary, or even very realistic, but at some point and at some level you have to get some buy-in or it just doesn't work.
To cite but one example, how are we to believe that, regardless of his wealth and resolve, the sheik was able to conceive, design, engineer, build and put into service a massive dam in the middle of nowhere in a matter of weeks? It would take years, yet he plot depends on such a flimsy device - it is the very premise of the film. I'm all for the willing suspension of disbelief, but the writers do have to meet us part way.
And, though I hate to say it because she is one of my favourite actors, Kristin Scott Thomas ends up practically chewing the scenery here (and there is lots of lovely scenery to devour, to be sure).
You don't get do-overs in the movie business. It's too bad, because I would have loved another hour or so of what we saw in the first 30 minutes.
Ewan McGregor and Emily Blunt struggle valiantly against the rising waters for a while, but before long the dam bursts and the preposterousness of the plot simply sweeps this film away. Look, I know that this is hardly intended to be a documentary, or even very realistic, but at some point and at some level you have to get some buy-in or it just doesn't work.
To cite but one example, how are we to believe that, regardless of his wealth and resolve, the sheik was able to conceive, design, engineer, build and put into service a massive dam in the middle of nowhere in a matter of weeks? It would take years, yet he plot depends on such a flimsy device - it is the very premise of the film. I'm all for the willing suspension of disbelief, but the writers do have to meet us part way.
And, though I hate to say it because she is one of my favourite actors, Kristin Scott Thomas ends up practically chewing the scenery here (and there is lots of lovely scenery to devour, to be sure).
You don't get do-overs in the movie business. It's too bad, because I would have loved another hour or so of what we saw in the first 30 minutes.