Based on a short story by Maeve Binchy, filmmaker Anthony Byrne's charming if wafer-thin comedy unfolds during the Christmas season at the English retirement home Woodlands, where straitlaced owner Kate (Orla Brady) is suddenly called away on a family emergency. Nominal supervision of the residents is entrusted to Kate's younger and far more indulgent sister Ellie (the delightful Hayley Atwell). Sensing that the girl is an easy mark, four obstreperous oldsters (Vanessa Redgrave, Brenda Fricker, Imelda Staunton, and Joss Ackland) seize the opportunity to take what might be their last wild fling: in comes the liquor and marijuana, out go the inhibitions. No profound message is waiting in the wings of this elder romp, but the veteran troupers are given more or less free rein, and the resultant scene stealing is good for plenty of solid laughs. Recommended. (E. Hulse)
How About You
Strand, 90 min., not rated, DVD: $27.99, Apr. 21 Volume 24, Issue 3
How About You
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As of March 2022, Video Librarian has changed from a four-star rating system to a five-star one. This change allows our reviewers to have a wider range of critical viewpoints, as well as to synchronize with Google’s rating structure. This change affects all reviews from March 2022 onwards. All reviews from before this period will still retain their original rating. Future film submissions will be considered our new 1-5 star criteria.
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