No. 92 (2021) FALLING FOR FIGARO. Nov. 13th.

 

Film No. 92 (2021)  November 13th.  8:20 PM  PALACE Cinema 8,  Raine Square,  Perth City. 

"Oh grow up. Start again, bar 32."(Meghan reacts to Millie's vision of grandeur; her playing out a dream of being a success on the opera stage).

FALLING FOR FIGARO is one of those films that promises much and delivers so little, you might wish 100 minutes of your time could have been spent doing something else. Movies can do that to you! The trailer made me think this romcom might just have the magic to melt the heart at all the right moments. Joanna Lumley is featured heavily in promotions but now, I'm surprised she accepted the role, considering the script. 

Australian Ben Lewin (THE SESSIONS, a deeply affecting film) is in charge here. His writing and direction is so safe, he's obviously decided on his audience, but surely he knows that romantic comedy, (while popular from a demand POV) is extremely hard to get right if the delivery is both safe and flat. Don't get me wrong, his cast is great. Lumley, Hugh Skinner as Max and Danielle Macdonald as Millie are fine but the old analogy that you can't make a silk purse out of a sows ear rings true here.

Two young, raw talents, Max and Millie seek training with Meghan Geoffrey-Bishop (Lumley) to become opera singers in rural Scotland. Their aim is to win Singer of Renown, the T.V. show that gives the winner access to a leading opera company. Do they compete against each other or do they work together? They are both young and attractive. Will they build chemistry while they battle the "treat them mean, keep them keen" mentality of coach Lumley? See, I told you it was safe. But there are likeable aspects to FIGARO. The scenery will get potential tourists to the area. The cast look great and the odd one liner will trigger a burst of laughter. That's about it really. Oh, and we were out with friends who quite enjoyed FIGARO, I don't really want the 100 minutes back!  7GUMS.