Hampstead is an easy film to pick holes in. Once again, it is a film aimed squarely at an older audience. Brendan Gleeson is Harry, an elderly man living in a shack he has built for himself on Hampstead common. A local resident, Emily (Diane Keaton) befriends him and becomes involved with his fight to remain in his home on land that developers want to build on.
So, with an eccentric older person wanting to live life their way, we are firmly in Lady in the Van territory, and like that film, Hampstead is an unashamed crowd pleaser. Though based on a real character, Harry, with his gruff exterior hiding a kind and sensitive side is somewhat of a movie trope. Also, the sun-drenched picture postcard version of this corner of London feels far from reality.
Emily is suffering from a financial ‘crisis’ that involves her selling her flat in one of the wealthiest parts of London and moving to a beautiful countryside cottage. I imagine viewers living in dangerously clad London tower blocks will be weeping for her!
But putting that aside there are a lot of pleasures to be had from Joel Hopkins’ cute romantic tale. Robert Festinger’s script has some witty dialogue and characters, that despite my misgivings, I warmed to. Most of all, however, it is the performers who give the material a lift.
Both Keaton and Gleeson inhabit their roles perfectly and there are great supporting performances from a reliable supporting cast: Lesley Manville as a snobby neighbour, Hugh Skinner who was so great in W1A is funny here too, Phil Davis in a brief appearance and especially Jason Watkins who gets all the best laughs as Emily’s lovelorn accountant.
I can’t really disagree with a lot of the criticism levelled at this film but also have to admit to finding it a warm and cosy watch.
Rating: 7 out of 10