I heard about this film mainly because it is set to the songs of Scottish folk-pop duo The Proclaimers, based on the hit stage play, it was rated well by critics, so I hoped for something good, from Scotland BAFTA nominated actor-turned-director Dexter Fletcher (Eddie the Eagle). Basically recently discharged British Army servicemen Davy Henshaw (George MacKay) and Ally (Kevin Guthrie) have returned home to their families in Edinburgh after a tour in Afghanistan ("I'm on my Way"). On the of Davy and Ally's first night home, Ally's girlfriend Liz (Scotland BAFTA nominated Freya Mavor), Davy's sister and a nurse, introduces Davy to her English friend and colleague Yvonne (Antonia Thomas), and the girls take part in the Scottish tradition of drunken storytelling ("Over and Done With"). Davy and Yvonne have a blind date and strike up a romantic relationship ("Misty Blue"), while Ally and Liz consider the potential of their future as a married couple ("Make my Heart Fly"). Davy's father Robert "Rab" Henshaw (Scotland BAFTA nominated Peter Mullan) receives a letter from Eilidh (Sara Vickers), a daughter he didn't know he had, they later meet, she is the result of an affair, the mother has just died, and he secretly attends the funeral. Ally tells Davy he intends to propose to Liz during the 25th wedding anniversary party for Davy's parents Rab and Jean (Scotland BAFTA nominated Jane Horrocks), a bartender overhears the conversation and offers Ally advice on how to propose ("Let's Get Married"). At the anniversary party Rab serenades Jean ("Oh Jean"), during the party, Jean discovers Rab's letter and is outraged at Rab's infidelity, Ally then proposes to Liz, but she turns him down, a mass brawl develops, Yvonne is horrified at Davy's aggression. Jean is horrified that Rab intends to keep seeing his newly found daughter, Jean sends him to Coventry and he sleeps on a sofa, Jean eventually feels guilty and blames herself for her family falling apart, but her colleagues at the Scottish National Gallery reassure her that it is not her fault ("Should Have Been Loved"). Meanwhile Rab plans a special meal to make up with Jean, but he suffers a heart attack and is taken to hospital, he recovers, he and Jean reconcile ("Sunshine on Leith"), Jean agrees to let Rab see his daughter and brought her see to the hospital to see him. Yvonne and Davy have reconciled ("Then I Met You"), however Liz and Ally's relationship has dissolved, Ally decides to re-enlist in the army, while Liz accepts an offer of a job nursing in Florida ("Letter from America"). Davy and Yvonne have an argument, she prepares to leave Edinburgh, but before she can reach Waverley railway station, Davy catches her and declares his commitment to her in Princes Street Gardens. They reconcile again ("I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)"), Jean and Rab sing verses, and Ally on patrol also sings, Liz is seen at work opening a letter from Ally, it is a fairly happy ending. Also starring Jason Flemyng as Harry Harper, Emily-Jane Boyle as Christine, Paul Brannigan as Ronnie, Dexter Fletcher as Drunk Outside Pub and The Proclaimers (twin brothers Charlie and Craig Reid) as Twins Leaving Pub. The film adopts a very similar style to the Mamma Mia! Formula, the cast are chosen well, in particular Horrocks and Mullan, it is a simple story of relationships rekindled and troubled, it blends the dramatic and fun moments well, and the songs do make more interesting, "Letter from America" and "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)" are the highlights, all together it is a likeable musical drama. It was nominated the Scotland BAFTA for Best Feature Film. Good!
Review of Sunshine on Leith
