What We Did on Our Holiday (2014)

This film is an utter delight. I went without having any idea what I was going to see and was utterly charmed by it.

Themes of love, separation, impending death and lies are dealt with in a sympathetic and thoroughly British way. The three male leads of Ben Miller, Billy Connolly and the luscious David Tennant excel at demonstrating dysfunction family life. The female leads are a little weaker, but still delver solid performances. The story focus around David Tennant and his estranged wife driving to Scotland for his fathers 75th birthday,knowing that he is dying and deciding because of his not to tell he truth about the impending divorce. ( this is all revealed in first 15 minutes so no spoiler) Sadly their separation has been none to amicable and their atrocious behaviour is impacting on each of their three children in different ways. In a similar way to Outnumbered the children appear to be largely unscripted which results in both some cringe worthy and some highly entertaining moments.

Whilst this film is never going to light any fires it is a lovely way to while away a couple f hours. NB Please be aware this is a British made film and obtains a fair amount of swearing. Doesn't other me at all but it might some people.

Fmovies: What makes this movie a hoot? Three adorable children who comprehend the world with their own little brains, see relationships with their own beady innocent eyes, and act on their reckless instincts and innocent unbloomed knowledge. What We Did on Our Holiday is a delightful perspective into the abyss of the broken that skims its aftermath gorgeously.

David Tennant looks the right kind of perplexed in the comedy trying to figure out his children and marriage whilst Rosamund Pike complements him beautifully with her engaged acting. Ben Miller as Gavin is brilliant as well. Billy Connolly ices the funny storyline with his pizazz and brilliant comic timing.

The screenplay is witty, subtle and snappy. The good thing about its humour is that the entire film, unlike other comedies, is not build on a slapstick foundation. The theme of the movie sometimes goes really thoughtful from sheer comedy which further furbishes the rhythm. The plot will make you giggle per se without any extra addition to the story.

If you look at the downsides, sometimes you do hope the drama to be a little bit more grave. It lacks profundity, but considering it a Comedy, this fact can be overlooked.

A brilliant comedy that is compelled to traverse the 'outstanding category' by the mere cuteness rush of Harriet Turnbull and Bobby Smalldridge. This Andy Hamilton and Guy Jenkin project is a definite go go!

What a great film this is, carrying on in the Great British tradition of Local Hero and Whisky Galore. It has been a long time since I heard such laughter in a cinema and everyone came out with smiles. Now it's not some daft children's film, on the surface it looks a simple feel good romp, but it's not, it goes to very interesting places and it really took me by surprise. Set in Scotland it looks superb (I'm a sucker for the Scottish landscape), The child actors are simply stunning (their scenes with their Grandfather are beautiful) the script (apparently improvised at times sparkles with fun and creativity. How I recommend this film to anyone wanting a great trip to the cinema but please don't research it too much, watch out for spoilers and avoid them. Come to the film fresh as I did. Enjoy.

What We Did on Our Holiday fmovies. From the great cast and idea, as well as the trailer being as entertaining as it was, What We Did On Our Holiday did look really promising. And it didn't disappoint, one or two tonal shifts jar just a tad and the material for David Tennant and Rosamund Pike wasn't quite as strong as that for the children and Billy Connolly(though it wasn't at all bad either) but it's a lovely film overall that entertains and touches. What We Did On Our Holiday is well-shot, never doing too much or too little, complementing the gorgeous scenery adeptly, while the soundtrack is appropriately understated and the film's sympathetically directed, allowing the story to resonate, the script to sparkle, accommodating the actors and using the idea to its full potential. There is a perfect balance of humour and pathos in the script, the humour especially with the children is often laugh-out-loud funny and the dramatic pathos parts are genuinely poignant. The story always engages and apart from at the end slightly it never feels too predictable, there are a number of surprises and What We Did On Our Holiday has a lot to say about family life and deals with it sympathetically and warmly in a way that allows us to completely identify with the situation and the characters, who all have a great amount of likability. The performances are excellent with the interplay between the actors even stronger, the chemistry between Connolly and the children is just adorable. David Tennant and Rosamund Pike are fine though Connolly and the children make much more of an impact, mainly due to better material. Connolly is very funny and also very moving, not just the character's situation which is enough to break anybody's heart but also it felt like a personal performance with Connolly being as gifted at comedy as he is and his ailing health. The children steal the show, Harriet Turnball is just hilarious and Emilia Jones also plays her role with a lot of charm. All in all, a lovely film that promised a good deal and delivers even more. 8/10 Bethany Cox

A tale about a troubled parents (who are getting separated) and their three kids. The family travels to Scotland to celebrate the very ill grandfather's birthday. Before going there, the parents agreed with their kids to keep their separation secret from the grandfather, because they don't want to ruin his birthday party with such news. Then so many unexpected things happen at the celebration day.

The performance was amazing especially the three kids, and the smart script makes you laugh at so many times despite the tragic story.

The movie shows beautiful visuals of green Scotland, and the Scottish music was great.

It is recommended for you if you wanted to watch something light and funny.

What We Did on Our Holiday is written and directed by Andy Hamilton and Guy Jenkin. It stars Rosamund Pike, David Tennant, Billy Connolly, Ben Miller, Amelia Bullmore, Emilia Jones, Bobby Smalldridge, Harriet Turnbull and Celia Imrie. Music is by Alex Heffes and cinematography by Martin Hawkins.

"The truth is, every human being on this planet is ridiculous in their own way. So we shouldn't judge, we shouldn't fight, because in the end... in the end, none of it matters. None of the stuff"

Andy Hamilton and Guy Jenkin spin off from their hugely popular sit-com, Outnumbered, to produce this funny, philosophical and moving picture. Tennant and Pike play parents of three young children, they are pending a divorce, but with Doug's (Tennant) father, Gordie (Connolly), dying of cancer, the family head to Scotland for what will surely be his last birthday party. Hoping to put on a united front so as to not upset Gordie any further, nobody could envisage what was to happen next...

It's a film that some no doubt find easy to kick, such is the uncomplicated structure used, and the formula of messaging that drives it forward. Yet sometimes uncomplicated is all you need, and in this day and age of mega-buck blockbusters and soulless frat type comedies grasping at sex for laughs, this is a film of refreshing qualities. It's superbly performed by what is a top notch group of adult British actors, who in turn are supplemented by three child actors so natural and engaging it makes you wonder if acting school is really needed?

It's obviously a piece that will resonate more with those who have been touched/stung by the thematics at work, while the comedy ticking away - with some truly great lines uttered - could seem a bit off kilter for the unprepared, but hopefully more will watch it, laugh and cry and ultimately realise that life really is too short for, well, you get the picture I'm sure. 8/10