FuzzyTagz If the ambition is to provide two hours of instantly forgettable, popcorn-munching escapism, it succeeds.

Hayden Kane There is, somehow, an interesting story here, as well as some good acting. There are also some good scenes

Mathilde the Guild Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.

Kinley This movie feels like it was made purely to piss off people who want good shows

krocheav It's a little difficult to put this into a sure fit category as it straddles several; Quaint, Fable, Romance, Quirky, Character study, I guess it's all of these. Is it predictable? Yes, is it manipulative? Yes, is it coy? Yes, is it delightful? Yes - but it also has a touch of underlying mystique, the kind of mystique that challenges us to sometimes enter relationships with unlikely people. Some of these characters and situations resemble plots by Roald Dahl (or inspired by) but others come across as lifted from everyday life. The strangeness might put some off but will attract others. Director/writer Simon Aboud has taken a chance with his approach but, overall he creates an easy watch - as long as you're prepared to flow along with it. The cast all fit their roles like well-tailored gloves. Jessica Brown Findlay as Bella, an orphan (odd circumstances to be sure) trying to find her way in a challenging world while working as a library assistant & attempting to write a children's book. The three men in her life played by Tom Wilkinson, Andrew Scott and Jeremy Irvine all bring their unique influences and challenges with genuine style. While gardening plays a key role you don't need to know or love flowers to fully engage with this generally feel good slice-of-life-mildly-comic-drama. Visuals are first class and a neat music score helps it all roll along.

bendabook I did not expect to fall head over heels in love with this movie, as I wound up doing. Utterly winsome and charming in a way that is hard to describe. Just when I thought movie were crass, violent or redundant, here comes a treasure unexpected.

Reno Rangan This is a very charming title if you are a fantasy film fan. Good looking film posters too from different languages for different regions. In a way, that was my reason to watch this, but anyway I would have seen it sooner or later being a cinephile. It was not a popular production, though the cast and storyline interested me more. They have categorised it as a modern day fairy-tale. But it was missing something. Something cinematically convince to its viewers. My best guess is 'stylish presentation'. Yep, it was a similar kind to 'Amélie', ' Citizen Dog' et cetera. It was not based on any book, but would have been a better format for such tale.It was like those titles I mentioned in the previous paragraph which meets 'The Secret Garden'. Sadly, not well explored in its topics. For instance, the romance part was half-boiled. Funnily, I never knew the film trying to achieve that part. Of course it had a boy and a girl. In fact, three boys against one girl. But which path the narration is taking was well preserved till certain length of the film. Surely somewhat it was a fairy-tale, but most probably not like the one you would be anticipating. Especially in the initial stage, it bettered. Only later on it had started to fall back as a casual film.The tale of a children's novelist. She is an orphan. Now being an adult, living independently in London, while working in a library. The story of her prior to land in the orphanage was a mystery. So basically she aspires to be a children's writer. Yet to write her first book. It was her normal lonely mechanical life, but one stormy day a trouble comes her way. The next door grumpy old man picking her for a verbal fight for several reasons and one of it were the neglected backyard. Now she has got a countdown to fix the issue. So the remaining the narrative focused on her undertaking, while the other side of her life, she's trying to get a close to an inventor.❝Life and nature, it's just waiting to burst out anywhere it can, seeking light, getting on with it.❞Definitely it should have been better. Not for just the cinephiles, but even normal people would feel that way. I don't know this filmmaker, but his direction was good, definitely not the writing skill. I think that's where it had failed mostly. It is still an above average, though if the screenplay, including dialogues was done better, then it would have been another level. Particularly, I did not like the transition between the scenes, events and the characters. One of the lines said at the final stage, after the story had taken a twist was poorly penned. That was the godfather of all the clichés, should have avoided at any cost.By the way the actors were good. From Jessica Brown to Tom Wilkinson and other two did their respective roles finely. The synopsis says it is about an author, but the film explored different way. The entire film given preference to gardening. It took phases and were decent too. But at final stage it takes a twist by giving a convincing reason. But if that's what the whole story was relied on to surprise its viewer, then that's did not do its job as expected. Overall, the writing should have been improved to give the film a better chance to do well with the film goers.Nonetheless, it is a watchable film. Especially I think women, family audience could enjoy it better. I would say the character Bella carried it all the way, despite Alfie jumped into the main storyline strongly in a mid way. The basic story was good enough. Bella is being a loner all her life, how suddenly everything has changed around her was the purpose of the film. Jessica Brown was a perfect choice for the role. She looked more beautiful than ever. Watch it for her, for the cast. Only a few people would feel they had seen a great film. It's just a good British film.6.5/10

trinaboice Grade: BRating: PG, 1 hour 32 minutesIn a Nutshell: Garden metaphors about life and friendship grow as this quirky "modern fairy tale" develops in this limited release. Uplifting theme: "Today I'm going to make a difference." – Bella Brown (Jessica Brown Findlay) Responsibility Friendship Everything that matters takes time." – Alfie Stephenson (Tom Wilkinson)Things I liked: I loved the magical score throughout the film. Jessica Brown Findlay does a great job as the odd protagonist who has a Keira Knightly quality about her. The Nazi librarian, her signs, and her garden name (Bramble) were hilarious, played by Anna Chancellor. Andrew Scott was entertaining as Vernon. You're probably going to want to go outside and work in your garden or create one. Luna was lovely. I loved the last scene. Clever, witty dialogue.Things I didn't like: So, the title….ummm As a landlord, I wasn't amused by Bella's lack of interest in taking care of the property she was renting. As a former employer, I also wasn't amused by how Bella was shocked about being fired after showing up late for work every day. Pretty predictable.Funny lines: "I'm not a religious man, but I believe someone sent her here to test us." – Alfie "Don't worry, tea is on its way." – Milly (Eileen Davies) Such a British thing to say. "Slavery was abolished in 1834, just so you know." – Vernon (Andrew Scott) "This country has been going down the drain ever since." – Alfie "I was just trying to tidy up a bit." – Bella "I think that's what Hitler said about Europe." – Alfie "I'm speechless." – Bella "If only that were true." – AlfieInteresting lines: "You should doubt only a man who changes his story. I only repeat myself in vague hope that one day somebody will actually hear me." – Alfie "Look! These monkwoods, so beautiful and poisonous they'll kill a man. That's an interesting contradiction, isn't it?" – Alfie Tips for parents: Most kids will be pretty bored. Clean languageMOVIE REVIEW MOM@trinaboice