5/5 its charms more than make up for its weaknesses
  by Jason A. Gagnon (Cobleskill, NY USA)
Netflix recommended I watch this, and so I did, never having heard of it before nor, obviously then, read the book. So, if you're looking for a compare and contrast with the book, skip this review because I can't help you there.

Weakness: It is incredibly episodic, and the various vignettes don't tie together very well. The only real thread that runs through the whole film are the the setting and the family. People walk in and out of their lives with little to no connection to the movie.

Strengths: the setting is so beautiful, and the acting so well done (except for Margot, whose overly-dramatic teenage girl is too overly-dramatic! I hate the sound of fake crying that teenage girls that don't get there way fall into!) that the weaknesses don't matter. What you get is a series of adventures by a very eccentric family. Think early Wes Anderson, but not over-written.

This is family safe fare, and one I'll certainly watch again and again.



5/5 really funny
  by Harriman
for anyone who loves a funny british comedy this movie is for you. bonus if you love nature and matthew goode.

5/5 Fun With Animals
  by Ted Macklin (Hawaiin Islands)
What a romp. For apperantly no sane reason a British Family moves to Geece just before World War II. The rather isolated and run down home they move into is obviously an invitation to disaster. While the Older sister is bringing home strange boy friends and an older brother is going crazy with guns the young boy in the family starts collecting live animals which drive everybody to distraction. He loves the animals more I think than his sister loves her gentleman friends. Then suddenly the War breaks out and Greece is no longer safe. They have to go back to England where the boy grows up to be a World famouse Animal scientist.

5/5 serendipity
  by M. FUSCO (NEW YORK, NY)
I found this delightful cinematic gem while searching for movies starring Matthew Goode, one of the best young English actors today. He is perfect here as the oldest son in this singular family: handsome, droll, hedonistic, supercilious, fully flexing his considerable comedic muscles.

This is a group of superb actors playing off each other, generous to a fault, and having a ball. The fun they have is sublimely infectious.

The movie is a vibrant and winning portrayal of Gerald Durrell's memoir of his family, just prior to WWII, living on Corfu. Durrell, who became a leading zoologist and wrote 37 books, cut his chops on Corfu, scoping out scorpions and other forms of wildlife dangerous and benign. He was about thirteen, with an older sister and two older brothers, equally quirky, individual, and funny.

His sister discovers boys - and men - wreaking much havoc on the island. His older brother, played perfectly by adorable Russell Tovey (History Boys), has a mania for hunting and shooting. And Larry (author Lawrence Durrell), played by Goode, is an obsessed writer who smokes, lounges about, and poses. He invites an amusing group of eccentric friends, including author Henry Miller, who writes in the nude and considers clothing the last refuge of the bourgeoisie. His family find them somewhat less entertaining.

Their summer is also populated by other characters with whom they interact: two British tutors, a Turkish boyfriend, the family's Greek mentor, housemaid, and a customs agent who confiscates lingerie and linen.

Imelda Staunton, as the mother of this brood, holds the whole mess together and has never been more enjoyable.

Great episodic story, beautiful photography, clever editing, highly imaginative music, smart script, delightful acting. The 85 minutes fly by and leave us wanting much more of this endearing family.

PBS, always at the cutting edge of timidity, has seen fit to cut out about two minutes of the already very short film. Apparently, the sight of turtles on top of each other is too much for their sensibilities, or ours. And I find it annoying to pay for a DVD and still sit thru not only their annoying Masterpiece Theater intro but, worse, their tireless spiel asking for money. I suggest buying the BBC Region 2 version of this delightful concoction if you can play it.

5/5 St. Spiridion!
  by William D. Freeman (Southern California)
This is a gem of a film that perfectly captures the spirit of the book: wonderfully acted and beautifully filmed. The music is also a delight. Buy it and enjoy.