Tamara Drewe [DVD]

Whether you're familiar with the graphic novel or not, this Tamara Drew is a hoot.After many years away, a successful newspaper columnist returns to her country roots to renovate the old family home, but drama soon follows as her glamorous new appearance captures the imagination of the village lotharios and her colourful love life draws prying eyes.Loosely based on Far From the Madding Crowd, Tamara Drew is the creation of illustrator Posy Simmonds and was originally published as a graphic novel, but this is certainly not one-dimensional writing nor aimed at a younger audience, it's best described as light comedy with a range of contrasting characters and adult themes.Those who've enjoyed Tamara Drew on the page will marvel at the film's casting, all of the characters are faithfully realised and most of their best moments are included in the screenplay, there may be some who feel the result is more bawdy romp than thoughtful character study, but don't take their word for it, get a copy for yourself, or for a friend, it's every bit as engaging as the film and more.

I saw this on BBC2 late one Friday evening recently and ordered it at once--in the early hours and hoped it would arrive before Christmas as my children might have left home if I'd suggested 'Love Actually' to follow the Great Meal.Thank you Amazon---it did.Later I read what other people had to say about it and agreed with quite a few.It might not be a great film but it is so much the sort of piece the British do so well.What this says about us,or whether it's an advantage as a contribution to the culture of the country,is another matter.Nevertheless,it's just the sort of film I turn to on a dull Saturday evening(like now)as I do like to be entertained but intelligently---this is a perfect choice.One rather odd feature is that although Tamara is the star and eponymous heroine,she still seems the least memorable---apart from her early appearance in those shorts,of course.It's a pity as she fits the part perfectly,so just what is lacking leaves me puzzled.I would watch Roger Allam in anything and now I'm adding delicious Luke Evans to the list.All the other parts were very well played,particularly those schoolgirls as just about everyone else mentioned.One final bonus is that the DVD comes with subtitles,such a welcome facility as until I discovered that,I'd been missing some of the asides.Now I know why Beth looked bemused at times.It's a dismal Saturday evening,so,rejecting more intellectually demanding fare,I'll be putting Tamara into the player,even supplanting Gosford Park,my great favourite.

This mix of dour Thomas Hardy, sexy Gemma Atterton and brilliant comic actor Roger Allam is a veritable feast. A bunch of would-be writers are holidaying in a Wessex-style haven run by the wife of a philandering best-selling thriller writer. Into the mix comes gorgeous free-wheeling Tamara, who was once an ugly duckling but has now had a nose job. The resultant chaos is both cleverly farcical and emotionally real.

this was bought from your UK site therefore I would expect a English comedy to be in English. When the blurbs for a dvd says German /English I expect to be able to change the language. this is not possible on this.not at all happy with this product or the discretion on the Amazon site.

Didn’t enjoy this nearly so much as I wanted to. Fine acting from Roger Allam, Tamsin Greig , and Gemma Arterton, but a plot that sat uncomfortably between domestic comedy and dark drama. Tamsin Grieg and Roger Allam play owners of a house where writers come away on sabbatical. Allam is a very successful writer, and into their lives returns Tamara Drewe, a former ugly duckling, now a beautiful, and somewhat fickle woman. Some profoundly shallow characters carrying on illicit affairs in a rural setting.

Based on Posy Simmonds' graphic novel, in turn a modern take on Far from the Madding Crowd, this film is an absolute joy. There are strong performances from an inspired ensemble cast - Gemma Arterton as the beautiful journalist Tamara, Roger Allam superb as the adulterous best selling author and Tamsin Greig as his long-suffering wife, Dominic Cooper as the dangerous rock drummer, and many more. There's even a brief cameo as himself by James Naughtie, at a literary festival. Brilliantly directed by Stephen Frears. This film is up there with Four Weddings, The Full Monty and Brassed Off.

Excellent

After watching the trailer, The film was dreadful.