Chalet Girl (2011)

Too much of everything

In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.

Tells a fascinating and unsettling true story, and does so well, without pretending to have all the answers.

There are moments in this movie where the great movie it could've been peek out... They're fleeting, here, but they're worth savoring, and they happen often enough to make it worth your while.

I found this on Netflix streaming movies. I actually wanted to see what Brooke Shields is doing in movies lately, she plays the wife and mother in a super rich family that vacations in the Austrian Alps.The story is about Felicity Jones (mid-20s) playing 19-yr-old Kim, an English girl who works at a fast food place. She had been an avid and good skateboarder as a teen but after a car wreck which injured her and killed her mum she has not been the same.Looking for better work she is declined at an interview (not 'posh' enough) but as she prepares to leave is snapped up, seems someone just canceled and they needed someone, anyone.So the main of the story is in Austrian ski country with this English girl certainly a fish out of water with no idea what to do on the snow. But a chance encounter with a boy on a snowboard gets her attention, and ultimately she is training for the big money prize to be offered in an upcoming snowboard competition.This movie is made or broken on Jones' acting and she carries it well. Her character of Kim is interesting and fun, she not only gets into the snowboarding competition but she also gets into the competition for the hand of the rich son of the Chalet family.A nicely entertaining movie.

Anyone who reads my reviews knows that I'm a sucker for the 'teen chick flicks.' There was a time when I thought Amanda Bynes was an incredibly talented comedienne. I mention her because this film felt like an old school, fun times, Amanda Bynes comedy. In my books, that is a compliment. Chalet Girl is funny, cute, sweet, and even has some edge. It isn't your typical teen romance because the characters are early twenties or very late teens so its sort of a borderline adult comedy but still holds so much of the slapstick fun and romance of a great teen comedy. Add in some great characters a touch of a sports movie and it was simply fun. Is it Academy Award material? No, of course not, but it is completely entertaining and that makes a difference.Felicity Jones is outstanding. First of all, I think I just might have a crush on her. But besides that she is fun, and cute and full of spirit. She does terrific physical comedy and her wit and sarcasm is perfect for the role. Ed Westwick plays her love interest and does a good job. Its a far cry from his Gossip Girl character and that's a good thing for him. He doesn't get a lot of character development but enough to make him likable and have good chemistry with Jones. The supporting cast is really terrific. Tamsin Egerton as Jones' best friend, but starts out as her rival. Two very small but terrific roles by Bill Nighy and Brooke Shields, and a fun and quirky performance by Bill Bailey as Jones' father. The cast is terrific together and you will truly enjoy each character.I like when a comedy like this which is sort of light and fluffy can be smart too. I thought the dialogue was clever and fun and the film is easy to follow and the pacing is perfect. I think the film is a little intense or perhaps adult for the younger teenage crowd but anyone who is a fan of romantic comedies can rest easy in this one. Director Phil Traill comes from years of Television and he directs with a certain style that would be formulaic to television but somehow for this movie it works. I'm sure many will disagree with me but if you like something light and fun, Chalet Girl was truly terrific!! 9/10

Chalet Girl is a feel good movie and offers the viewer comedy, romance and some good photographic shots. Its a film which starts with Felicity Jones (Kim ) delivering a very 'slick' main character role. Her delivery of the part just hit the spot thus you felt you were there with her throughout the movie. I would say its definitely a gender type film, more a 'girly' movie but thats perhaps not fair as it has a 'full rounded' story which would appeal to both genders really. The storyline is simple, opportunity, relationships and fears. The overcoming of all is part of the simplistic joy of the film. I don't agree with comments of the film being boring but perhaps my aforementioned comments re gender would support these negative reviews. The acting was very good and all roles complimented each other, fitting in and all loose ends were tied up. Also it was a pleasure to watch a film which did not need to resort to copious amounts of foul language. A nice, easy, enjoyable film which leaves one feeling lifted and has the 'ahhhh' factor.

I won't go into detail because it doesn't deserve it. I write this review only to warn off folks getting the mistaken impression that this is a winsome movie....it is not. I'm not sure what's going on with the high praise, for example, Rottentomatoes currently ranks this movie with 84%. Odd for something so highly unoriginal and unfunny. Worse still, it has a straight-to-video look that adds to the lightweight feel. I was bored to death waiting for something interesting to happen. All of that said, it is certainly a passable, albeit boring, film to watch and I can only presume that this quality is what is generating the passing marks being given out by RT critics and IMDb users. My suggestion would be for a romantic comedy with a British flair try Bridget Jones Diary or The Holiday.