Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked (U)
HHH
Dir: Mike Mitchell
With: Jason Lee, David Cross
AMERICA'S answer to Pinky and Perky, except they're chipmunks and there are three of them, continue their relentless quest to conquer the Christmas box office with this, the ridiculously likeable third in the series.
Long-suffering Dave (Jason Lee, My Name is Earl) is taking the pop trio, plus the Chipettes, on a cruise when calamity strikes and everyone washes up on a desert island. The chipmunks films manage to strike a winning balance between lots of fun for wee ones – look ma, it's a singing rat! – and a treat or five for adults courtesy of the gloriously snide interventions of former manager Ian (David Cross).
Part two was called The Squeakquel, this is Chipwrecked. Stand by for Chipbuilding, in which the plucky squirrels put a song back in the hearts of the British shipbuilding industry, or Ovenchipped, in which the trio have an unfortunate run in with a potato peeler. Only kidding, kids.
The Well-Digger's Daughter (PG)
HHH
Dir: Daniel Auteuil
With: Daniel Auteuil, Astrid Berges- Frisbey
DANIEL Auteuil, that well kent face of French cinema (Jean de Florette, Un Coeur en Hiver) makes his directorial debut with this bucolic period drama. He does a stint front of camera too as Pascal, digger of wells in the south of France parish where the tale is set.
Pascal desires two main things in life – to keep his good name and to see his eldest daughter Patricia (Astrid Berges-Frisbey) married to a good man of working class stock. When she falls for the spoiled son of one of the richest families in the village, papa fears the worst. To complicate matters further, the Second World War is marching closer.
Auteil's film is nicely locked to a time and place but the tone is all over the shop, ranging from spells of light comedy banter to grand dramatic speeches, most of which he reserves for himself.
But the mix of soapy plotlines and bonnets should keep costume drama aficionados going till the Downton Abbey Christmas special, and the sun drenched setting is warm-your-bones spectacular.
Filmhouse, Edinburgh, tomorrow-December 22; Glasgow Film Theatre, December 23-January 5.
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