DVD Reviews

Happy Ever Afters

• Rating:
• Director:
• Starring: Sally Hawkins
• Details: IRELAND/104mins 12A

Coming hot on the heels of another Irish comedy, Situations Vacant, Happy Ever Afters has a more proven pedigree in front of the camera, and occasionally amuses.

Starring recent Golden Globe winner Sally Hawkins, this shamelessly slight production has moments of genuine comedy, but the whole thing is just far too frantic to really engage. Still, two nice performances from Hawkins and Riley, and a brilliant debut from youngster Sinead Maguire that will see audiences chuckling into their popcorn, make this Irish production just about worthwhile.
When the afters of a wedding are double-booked at the same venue, Tom Riley's nervous groom has even more stress to deal with than just his high maintenance wife. But Sally Hawkins' desperate bride has her own problems, as she's marrying a man for the money - literally. As their paths cross throughout the day amidst the carnage of your typical Irish wedding afters, they find themselves strangely drawn to each other.
First-time director Stephen Burke knows exactly the type of movie he's trying to make here. Happy Ever Afters is slapstick and purposely frantic and it doesn't apologise for it. There are some genuinely laugh out loud moments, most of which come from such overtly silly situations, but character and plot wise it's a bit messy. Still, Burke shows enough deft comedic touches to convince that he'll helm another feature, while Maguire is a little star in the making.
Rarely exceptional but often amusing, this is an Irish comedy that you will still be laughing with, as opposed to at.

Review by Mike Sheridan