Hampstead (2019)

Plenty to Like, Plenty to Dislike

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

An old-fashioned movie made with new-fashioned finesse.

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.

"Do you drink too much all the time? No, only when I drink."You're lying relaxed on your sofa on a Saturday night and you don't have the energy to do something useful? Well, that will certainly not change after watching this romantic comedy which takes place in the vicinity of Hampstead Heath. The whole film proceeds at a leisurely pace and tells about the strange relationship between Emily (Diane Keaton) and Donald (Brendan Gleeson). Emily is a middle-aged widow living in a respectable appartment opposite Hampstead park. Donald is a wayward tramp living in a little self-build shack in that same park, growing his own potatoes and carrots and fishing for lunch in the local pond. The two relate to eachother as yin and yang. Emily is having money troubles after the death of her husband, who left her a mountain of debt. She works voluntarily in an Oxfam clothing store and is reasonably socially engaged. Donald, on the other hand, never worries about money and wants everyone to leave him alone. In his eyes, the rest of the community consists of money-minded egocentric know-it-alls who do not understand and appreciate his wilful lifestyle.The advantage of films such as "Hampstead", is that you won't be flabbergasted by it. You get a warm and blissful feeling from it and your brain cells are spared an exhausting effort. My philosophizing about "being amazed while watching a movie" (read my review about "Paddington 2" once again) isn't applicable to this film, because there's really nothing to be surprised about. The choice of its title is quite obvious. And when Emily looks unconsciously with binoculars through the attic window and thus discovers the bare belly of a bathing Donald, you immediately know what the tree-hugging activist is planning to do. What follows is a succession of endearing conversations and predictable misunderstandings. Fortunately, it doesn't lapse into romantic excesses and we are simply witnessing a burgeoning friendship between two individuals who have their own personal problems. One person fails to make ends meet financially and her gossiping high-society neighbor tries to link her to an accountant. The other is urged to leave his premises or he'll be expecting some legal proceedings. Well, it's clear from the beginning how this will resolve itself.I really enjoy the acting of Diane Keaton. In every film she's the personification of a very cozy, hugely affectionate and huggable elderly lady. Such a granny who looks immensely friendly, helpful and old-fashioned. And on that level, she's of course the correct choice to play the character Emily in this not so surprising film. Because to be honest, it seems as if Diane Keaton always plays the same movie character. I'm sure Diane Keaton is a similar person in real life and thus plays herself all the time. Brendan Gleeson, on the other hand, was a joy to watch. A bearded garden gnome who's sometimes a real old grumbler but next shows he also owns a caring heart. Even though they look like an odd couple and it feels as if they don't really belong together, I can understand that someone like Emily can succumb to the sometimes hidden charms of Donald.Apparently the story is based on true facts but some things are a bit romanticized and made up. The whole thing reminded me of "5 Flights up" where Diane Keaton also had a real estate problem together with Morgan Freeman. "Hampstead" is like some household tasks. You do not necessarily have to do them, but if you can bring yourself to carry them out, it won't hurt either. So it's not required to watch this average, easy-going romantic comedy. But if you do, it won't seem as if you've ruined your precious time.More reviews here : movie-freak.be

There are some charming moments mostly provided by Diane Keaton. The cemetery looks quaint and historic. It's mildly interesting how a squatter in a public park can get rights to land - a rather dumb rule of law in England. But if those are the highlights then there isn't enough substance for a movie. Brendan Gleeson is just too Santa Claus looking to be a romantic lead - considering he is a lot younger than Diane Keaton in real life. Their romance is totally unconvincing. Also Diane's character is kind of annoying and an ungrateful friend. It's not her friend's duty to tell he about her husband's infidelities. Not a must watch.

This is a poor mans' Lady In The Van, i.e. take a real-life incident, weave a fey plot of sorts around it, shoot on a real London location and wheel out the usual suspects, the television actors who go from one assignment to the next, hit their marks and neither bump into the furniture nor frighten the horses. Three days work in March, luvvie, right you are, another nice little earner, that's the new Aga sorted.That you, Tarquin? Can you give us a couple of days next month? Chichester? Well done, you. Never mind I'll give Roderick a bell. Break a leg. And thus you wind up with the likes of Lesley Manville, Jason Watkins and James Norton, who should have been insulted to be asked to phone in something Samuel West turned his nose up at. Okay, luvvies, this is the thing; we're bringing Diane Keaton in for the marquee, you're precious Primrose Hill types, you can do it in your sleep and there's a new kitchen in it. Luckily (for the producers) Camilla Long filed her last review for the Sunday times a week ago and is off to have a baby, otherwise ...