Better Late Then Never

Admirable film.

Although it has its amusing moments, in eneral the plot does not convince.

A lot of perfectly good film show their cards early, establish a unique premise and let the audience explore a topic at a leisurely pace, without much in terms of surprise. this film is not one of those films.

Minnie Driver and her sister were two of the co-producers. It is set in California, a farm that looks like it could be near the wine country. Uncle Cullen (superb Nigel Hawthorne) and two brothers co-own the land and whatever else is on it. Uncle Cullen comes off as more than a bit eccentric, to the constant consternation of one of the brothers, Ross (played smartly by Rufus Sewell). The other brother communes with nature and seems content with going off into the woods to work on the garden.Ross's problem is that he never has been really successful at anything. Well, there was this one thing, apparently a very gifted musician playing the guitar and composing, but he wanted to be a business success, and needed cash to buy an old manganese mine, sure that it would be his big enterprise, and also allow him to win the hand of Kendal (Minnie Driver).As the story begins we see a Mr Tang, buying agent, and Ross examining each of the old bottles of rare wine in the cellar, Ross hoping to sell then for the thousands that will allow him to buy the mine. But, nothing goes as Ross plans.SPOILERS. One morning everyone wakes up to wine everywhere, even in the well water. Turns out that Uncle Cullen has opened each of the wine bottles and poured them out, in effect short-circuiting Ross' plan. The make matters worse, Uncle had delivered a very large while column in the yard, and the bill to Ross was over $126,000. When it was all done, however, it turns out Uncle Cullen was the smartest one, facilitating Ross' getting back to the guitar, the former champion diver to quit looking for perfection, and generally helping all to realize that it is best to live to your strengths and not try to become something you are not.

An American movie without violence. Starts out with the frustration and anger of modern life. Then plans for self improvement at the expense of others. Turns to frantic action to save family members. The greedy plans unravels and frustration grows. Personal relationships of family members vanishes in thin air. Each individual strives for a solution that eludes them. Slowly ideas from a calmer time and culture takes root. As the personal problems can not be resolved, individuals help others instead. Then as they stop struggling with their own problems. The problems stop haunting them. And one by one they slowly come to face serenity. A gem for your heart and soul.

I saw this on TV a few days ago.While it is a charming film with several good acting performances, it is also a very eccentric film and I suspect that you need to be in the right mood to experience this film.Minnie Driver plays the usual Minnie Driver role (same as in Good Will Hunting and all of her other films) as well as she always does. The late Nigel Hawthorne plays the Mad King George odd ball with the vacant eyes as well as he always did.It takes place in the US (California), but the main characters are all British. I am sure the actors had a very good time in California and enjoyed the producton. It looks like the weather was good during the whole production. Nigel Hawthorne and Minnie Driver and her sister (?) were executive producers.PS I recognize the locality from JAG (the episodes in South America where Sarah is padded to look pregnant) and other TV shows and films. So the owner of this estate must have a lot of movie community friends.

Not a bad movie. Interesting, thoughtful and well acted. Reading the credits, I could not believe the entire movie was filmed in L.A.! Some of the arboretum scenes looked great, I can't believe there are parts of L.A. that look like that. Anyway, this had a nice story. At first, you think what the hell is up with the Uncle, but then you learn that he is a somewhat wise man, whom should be listened to.