Sunshine on Leith (2013)

a film so unique, intoxicating and bizarre that it not only demands another viewing, but is also forgivable as a satirical comedy where the jokes eventually take the back seat.

The movie runs out of plot and jokes well before the end of a two-hour running time, long for a light comedy.

If you're interested in the topic at hand, you should just watch it and judge yourself because the reviews have gone very biased by people that didn't even watch it and just hate (or love) the creator. I liked it, it was well written, narrated, and directed and it was about a topic that interests me.

Mostly, the movie is committed to the value of a good time.

I love this film can't stop watching it, also can't stop singing the songs in my head the acting is first class the music too, the story along the way is touching, get the hankies out its got everything you want in a movie it makes you laugh it makes you sad and above all it makes you happy in one word 'Wonderful' it's best to see it 2-3 times to see what you missed the first time! I have watched about 20 times now and counting!! Jane Horrocks gives a marvellous performance as Jean and Peter Mullan was superb but all the cast were fantastic too it's a pity there aren't more films of a similar nature to this instead of all these 'Super Heroes' film noir. The Director Dexter Fletcher who is also an actor needs commending and I will be following him on what he does in the future either acting or directing his latest film being Eddie the Eagle! 10/10

You know the expression "white people can't dance" – well at least not since Gene Kelly and Fred Astaire. This film is definite proof of that. Dancing is not waving your hands in the air. All the dance scenes look the same – similar to a you-tube flash-mob. Choreography not required.And the singing is worse.Aside from a few comic scenes during the dance hall – this is cloying and predictable – and Boring (capital "B" intended). The characters are un-engaging. It looked at times like a Scottish tourist brochure.Overall this approaches the banal. A musical must have a sense of vitality and an energy force - this was sadly lacking.

Sunshine on Leith attempts to do with the music of The Proclaimers what Magnolia did with Aimee Mann songs, namely fashion a narrative that interweaves the various tales hinted at in the songs lyrics. The story lines themselves are pure family melodrama, and like the renditions of the songs, some work better than others. Peter Mullan brings that gravelly majesty of his to the show, a credible thread of proletariat credentials in a film that largely strips the working-class despair and Scottish nationalist politics from The Proclaimers lyrics (the characters who sing of Linwood and Bathgate no more most likely have never heard of these places ever). His marriage crisis is genuinely fraught, and when his wife discovers his secret, precisely at the worst of times, there is a wordless look that passes between husband and wife that cuts the foundations of 25 years. In a film that is unabashedly going after froth and fun most of the time, this is a small, startling cinematic moment. The film is a love letter to The Proclaimers and to Edinburgh, and as such will satisfy audiences who crave such depictions. It is not normally my cup of tea, but I found myself rooting for George MacKay's Davy to do the right thing, and hoping Jane Horrock's Jean would find a way to forgive. As for the songs, 500 Miles gets a fittingly stagey production, but I can't help but feel the two soldiers, or the father and son, in the stands at Easter Road, belting out Sunshine on Leith with the Hibs support, would have been a powerfully poignant moment. A bit of a missed opportunity there.

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 greatJust watch it and you will not be disappointed!