Goodbye Christopher Robin (PG)
Two stars
Dir: Simon Curtis
With: Domhnall Gleeson, Kelly Macdonald
Runtime: 107 minutes
WHO was the real Christopher Robin? Simon Curtis tries his hand at an answer in this gentle to the point of insipid drama. Domhnall Gleeson plays Winnie-the-Pooh author AA Milne as a man haunted by his experiences in the First World War who wanted to return some happiness to the world. But how did the real CR feel when the books became the Harry Potters of their day? While Gleeson and Margot Robbie (playing Mrs Milne) don pukka accents to the point of parody, the real joy of the piece is Kelly Macdonald who steals all the best lines as CR’s beloved nanny, as when she archly inquires of Mrs Milne’s clothing choices for her son: “More smocks?”
Daphne (15)
three stars
Dir: Peter Mackie Burns
With: Emily Beecham, Geraldine James
Runtime: 86 minutes
A STAR is born in Emily Beecham, who plays the titular Daphne in Peter Mackie Burn’s directorial debut. Like some noughties Jean Shrimpton, the flame-haired chef seems to have it all going on in her London life as she swings from work to bar to bed. But there’s a sadness clinging to this seemingly indestructible young woman, one that in time she must confront. Mackie Burns handles the tale like a seasoned pro, and Beecham is terrifically watchable throughout. As impressive as they are, there is not enough of a story, and what plot twists there are seem tacked on as afterthoughts. On the strength of this, though, you’ll definitely be seeing director and star again.
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