Enchorde A very sweet movie for a cosy rainy afternoon or something like that. A widow, Emily, with financial problems meets a man, Donald, living in a shack in Hampstead, in the middle of London. Donald does things his own way, living outside society but in harmony with himself and his surroundings. Emily, however, is in harmony with absolutely nothing. Of course they meet and mutual interest arises between them.A sweet movie about harmony in life, and that it is never too late to find love or your own place in life. Keaton and Gleeson play the main character with finesse, and carries this story. It is so much more about the characters since there is no real drama or danger in the plot. Hence, a good feelgood movie.

Ian I love Diane Keaton and I love Brendan Gleeson so I really wanted to love this. It's sort of ok.It tries to be a kind of Notting Hill RomCom but without the twists and funnies. There are stereotypes all over the place and a predictable plot and it drags a bit, particularly near the beginning.But it's an easy watch, mainly thanks to the two stars, but it would have been so much better with a better script. Admittedly it was based on true-life events but someone should tell the scriptwriter that true does not always equal interesting.

fanaticusanonymous So lovely to see Diane Keaton play a character who thinks she doesn't do anything. I think that feeling is common among givers. They give without realizing they're giving. She's getting to the end of her life and suddenly she realizes she doesn't have anything or anyone. I was moved to see in Keaton's eyes that youthful realization of love. This charming surprise of a film has other hidden pleasures, Brendan Gleeson for instance, his tender wild human is a delight, not to mention Lesley Manville - her scenes are filled with a comic energy that never goes over the top, a real treat. And then Simon Callow as the judge is the icing on the cake. Enjoy.

manders_steve This film, stated to be based on the true story of the 'Hampstead Hermit' Harry Hallowes, tells the tale of a alternative lifestyler who builds himself a 'residence' in an isolated corner of Hampstead Heath, where he lives largely undisturbed for many years. Brendon Gleeson is brilliant as the irascible hermit, complete with quirky observations on life and the modern world. Widowed American Emily spies him when looking out her attic window with binoculars, and invests reasons to meet him, and the rom com dimension stems from that. I'm not quite so sure about Diane Keeton's success in her role, but her gentle reserve mostly rings true, as do the fragile relationships with her conflicted 'friends'. Most of the smaller parts are forgettable one dimensional caricatures of various typical British types. The film looks and feels the part, as I'm sure those who have had the pleasure of spending some time on Hampstead Heath will agree. Some aspects of the plot have some substance, some have that odd ring where truth seems stranger than fiction, but overall it's a bit predictable and lightweight. It's a pleasant, gentle and undemanding film that probably justifies a couple of hours of your time.