What makes it different from others?

I gave this film a 9 out of 10, because it was exactly what I expected it to be.

I am only giving this movie a 1 for the great cast, though I can't imagine what any of them were thinking. This movie was horrible

Great story, amazing characters, superb action, enthralling cinematography. Yes, this is something I am glad I spent money on.

In 1982, six college friends perform a review in front of a bored audience. Ten years later, they reunite for New Years weekend after Peter Morton (Stephen Fry) inherits the family country manor. Andrew Benson (Kenneth Branagh) is a Hollywood writer married to successful American actress Carol (Rita Rudner). Mary (Imelda Staunton) and Roger Charleston (Hugh Laurie) are married jingle writers. Maggie Chester (Emma Thompson) is a single cat lady and publisher. Sarah Johnson is a fashion designer coming with married Brian.The easy comparison is The Big Chill. Branagh brings together his friends and colleagues. Rita Rudner doesn't seem right as an acting diva. I'm surprised that Branagh couldn't get a bigger name for the role. A California blonde would be much better for the contrast. The characters are obvious and broadly drawn. Once the characters are presented, the story doesn't really go too far. There was a fresh energy about The Big Chill but this goes over like a cold rainy English day. The great cast does keep the interest high throughout.

If you've ever hosted or been invited to a reunion you'll recognise a lot in this film. The excited expectations of catching up with people you were great friends with many years ago, followed by the reality that as years go by, life has changed for all of you. You want everyone to be the same, but they're not.Peter invites a group of his old university friends to a party at his recently deceased father's mansion. The friends have not all seen each other since they graduated in 1982, although have individually stayed in touch during that time.As with this type of film things don't go according to the host's plans as the lives of each member of the group are revealed - Roger and Mary have suffered an enormous tragedy, losing a baby to cot death, and as a couple are not dealing with how it has affected their relationship. Andrew has married his sitcom star wife Carol and lives in California, their marriage isn't a happy one in-spite of wealth and success. Maggie is a lonely spinster in love with Peter who doesn't reciprocate. Sarah basically beds unavailable men and brings her latest one, Brian, to the party. When his life becomes all too real (he's married with a child), the relationship falls apart and he goes back home.The only person who you think doesn't have events going on in their life seems to be Peter, only revealing to the rest of the group, and us the audience that he his HIV positive. The way this announcement is dealt with in the film really dates it. In 1992 HIV was still a big and controversial issue, and was in many ways still considered a death sentence. If the film was made and set now in 2017 Peter's announcement would have basically 0 shock value. The script isn't laugh out loud funny but is witty in that way British comedy films usually are - a mix of self-deprecation, sarcasm and one liners. I first watched this way back in about 1993 and at that time I considered it to be one of my favourite films. I was 15 at the time, and wasn't really into a lot of the films my peers were into!25 years after it was made I still really enjoy Peter's Friends although now I can see some flaws - it is a bit of a "love-in" of Kenneth Branagh's friends, a bit too sentimental and mushy in places, as well as slightly slow in the middle. A good, but not exceptional British comedy.

Peter's Friends is directed by Kenneth Branagh. The film stars Stephen Fry, Kenneth, Branagh, Imelda Staunton,Alphonsia Emmanuel,Hugh Laurie,Emma Thompson,Phyllida Law, Tony Slattery and Rita Rudner.A group of university friends come together again after several years apart, when they are invited to a New Year Eve party at the home of Peter(Stephen Fry).Andrew (Kenneth Branagh)brings his actress wife Carol(Rita Rudner),the pair are drifting apart but don't seem to want to acknowledge that fact.Roger and Mary(Hugh Laurie and Imelda Staunton)have married and have suffered the recent tragedy of the death of one of their twins, Mary is now constantly worried about the other one and can never relax because she is convinced something bad will happen him.Funny,sex crazed Sarah(Alphonsia Emmanuel)brings her boyfriend Brian(Tony Slattery). There's also the shy and awkward Maggie (Emma Thompson)who's struggling with her romantic feelings for Peter.Over delicious food the gang realise they never want to lose touch again, especially when Peter reveals some devastating news about himself.It's easy to see why some people refer to this as a British Big Chill but unlike that film this one has some weaknesses. Many of these characters seem very self centred, particularly Andrew and Branagh spoils the pivotal revelation scene near the end with his over the top cringe inducing drunken crying. This should have been a deeply moving scene(it is up until Andrew cries)but Branagh went so over the top that it becomes laughable and it shouldn't be.It has it's moments though and has a fantastic soundtrack. It also always gives me a craving for a roast dinner. An enjoyable film about friendship and love, funny and touching this is one to watch.

Seven friends from an acting troupe graduate from Cambridge University in 1982 and go their separate ways. Ten years later, Peter inherits a large estate from his father, and invites the rest of the gang to spend New Year's holiday with him. Many changes have taken place in the lives of all the friends assembled, but Peter has a secret to tell......Luvvie Alert!!!!!!!!!Depending on your age and your appreciation of British TV in the late eighties and early nineties will swerve on your opinion of this film.Basically, if you like A Bit Of Fry And Laurie, Blackadder, Who's Line Is It Anyway, The Tall Guy, and any Sitcom that featured a middle class family, person, or Business,methane this is the movie for you.If you said no to the above, then you mat find this a little bit snobby, and a little bit too smug for its own good. In fact, it should have been called Kenneth's Friends, because the film could almost be a metaphorical fly on the wall documentary about our favourite British actors.But it's comfort food for fans, just to see the actors enjoying themselves and bouncing off one another. After not seeing it for so many years, it's surprising as just to how somber the film is at times.As well as the film subliminally congratulating the stars for their input into the British Arts, it deals with infidelity, morbidity, loss, age, and self realisation, and it deals with them marvellously.The cast, as you'd expect, are wondrous, and the chemistry in the film is perfect. My only qualm with the film is that whilst it deals with life changing issues delicately with three of the characters, the other characters problems seem simply trivial compared to those. So while the loss of a child is treated as you'd expect it to be treated, suicide is joked about early on and cast aside.But all in all, it's a fun love in for all concerned, but it's definitely an acquired taste.I can't wait for the directors cut that has Alan Rickman turn up late, with a silly story and a slight problem.