Sunshine on Leith (2013)

Just before I give my opinion on this film, I will say I am born in Scotland, and I am so happy a decent big budget type film has been made up here. This film is just simply fantastic, great songs (well of course, its The Proclaimers), very catchy and an overall great story. Fun to spot famous locations too, some parts filmed in Glasgow too, like the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and some of the pubs. It will definitely get the tourists into Scotland thats for sure! The acting is great and the singing is excellent. Also there is a nice little cameo from the famous duo which was great

Just watch it and you will not be disappointed!

Fmovies: Loved this film from beginning to end as hopefully did the other 8(!) people in the theatre.

Would love to see this film take off and feel I want to preach and spread the word to the world.

I shed tears at various points for various reasons was almost lost for words as felt emotional again at just thinking what a great film I had just seen...okay, I am mushy.

Great fun to be there and would definitely go again...and again.

I enjoyed Mamma Mia very much indeed but this outshone it completely (and I don't do musicals-but on film this was great)

A grand mixture of acting and singing and FUN!

This film is a series of interconnected situations regarding relationships, all based in the same family. Davy and Ally come back from combat, to seemingly the delight of everyone. Ally looks to rekindle his relationship with Liz, who is Davy's sister. Davy meets Liz's best friend Yvonne and they begin a relationship. Liz and Davy's parents Rab and Jean appear very happy about this. There, however, are secrets and actions that threaten to undermine all of the relationships. When the film is set to songs by the Scottish group The Proclaimers (American audiences will know them from their big hit 500 Miles (I'm Gonna Be),sung by the characters and others joining in, the movie is wonderful, it is vibrant and fun, along with sad and even heartbreaking. When the stories are told without music the movie falters, since it becomes almost like a soap opera. However, look past those moments and bask in the great city of Edinburgh and sing along if you can. Its those moments that make this film really worthwhile.

Sunshine on Leith fmovies. I'm not a fan of musicals. I'm not quite sure why I should enjoy watching people sing their conversations instead of having a straightforward, impassioned talk. Sunshine on Leith isn't that kind of musical.

Sunshine on Leith is cheesy, predictable and I had a fab time watching it! Adapted for the big screen, from his own stage play, by Stephen Greenhorn, Sunshine on Leith will be known by many as the Scottish comedy rammed to the gills with The Proclaimers' songs. The twins even enjoy a brief stroll in front of the camera and I found myself having a private game of Which Proclaimers' song comes next? in the cinema.

Three soldiers return home to Scotland after a tour of duty and try to adapt to life on civvy street. While Davy (George Mackay) goes home to mum, Jean (Jane Horricks), dad, Rab (Peter Mullan), and sister, Liz (Freya Mavor), his best friend Ally (Kevin Guthrie), who is dating Liz, stays with his sister's family. On a celebratory night out, Davy hooks up with his sister's friend, Yvonne (Antonia Thomas) and over the next few months we watch as three relationships (Jean & Rab, Ally & Liz and Davy & Yvonne) evolve and deal with the challenges life throws at them.

I'll be honest (as always), Sunshine on Leith is not a great film. There are occasional moments of ropey acting, it is difficult not to grimace at some of the circumstances, it all flows and finishes entirely too easily, there are far too many avenues hinted at but never explored, I'm pretty sure it's not a fair representation of Scotland and it's far from being an accurate portrayal of squaddies returning from warzones.

In terms of feel good films, it's out of step with the likes of The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel and lacks the gritty charm of Ken Loach's little seen but superb The Angels' Share. There is an entire subplot starring the latter's Paul Brannigan as Ronnie, the third of the trio of soldiers, that is hinted at but not fully explored, as if time was of the essence and director Dexter Fletcher felt the need to excise him for pace, and it leaves us wondering why he was left in the film at all.

But, gripes aside, this is an entertaining, inoffensive, thoroughly enjoyable experience that doesn't need detailed analysis. Take it as it is, lap it up, feel good about yourself and then move on.

Peter Mullan and Jane Horrocks, though not a couple one would automatically think to put together, play perfectly against each other as the couple nearing their silver wedding anniversary. Knowing the musical talent that brought Horrocks to the fore, it is an almost agonizing wait for her to be given her chance to sing but you'll be satisfied to know she has a few moments in the limelight. Though Mullan may not be a natural singer, he handles his numbers very well and there is no danger of him 'doing' a Peirce Brosnan (in Mamma Mia!) or Russell Crowe (in Les Misérables).

The central trio of MacKay, Guthrie and Mavor gel well, hold the attention, engage us and bounce well off each other, but the jaw-on-the-floor performer here is Antonia Thomas. She has been sorely missing from my life since she moved on from the dark, twisted and utterly fantastic Misfits and it's good to see her back on screen after such an absence. She performs well and is the equal of her peers here but when she singsÂ… Wow!

There are more than sufficient high points in Sunshine on Leith to forgive all the missed opportunities and false starts

Saw this at a preview. The first couple of scenes were great, even though only my husband and I apparently saw the Proclaimers coming out of the pub when the lads are dancing their way back home ( we were the only ones who laughed, so the others obviously didn't realise that the lads' physique has changed since their skinny years!)

A warning to anyone who cried through "Slipping through my Fingers" in Mamma Mia. "Sunshine on Leith" - get the tissues handy! I was desperately trying not to sob out loud....

All in all, it was very enjoyable, though I wish Jason Flemyng's role had been bigger. Can't wait to see him on "Strictly"! Sure it sounded like he'd split his trousers!

There were a few wobbly voices, especially Peter Mullan's, but all in all, the cast acquitted themselves perfectly adequately. Jane Horrocks was superb, as always, and my husband ( a Scot) commended her on her accent.

One last thing. Why wasn't I invited to the flash mob?! Dexter, next time, send me an e-mail....

I bought the soundtrack first and really enjoyed that so was expecting the movie to be as good and I certainly wasn't disappointed.

OK it's no Hollywood blockbuster, but has such a warmth and innocent charm that can not help but appeal.

Reminded me a little of Gregory's girl and Mamma Mia minus the A listers and sun!

Brilliant performances from everyone. Obviously Jane Horrocks is as excellent as she always is.

Will see this again.

More movies like this please instead of the gratuitous violence/stomach churning rubbish and appalling story lines in films like 'Filth'.