My Life So Far (Widescreen)

Fraser's story (which the title implies is the point of the film) is fabulous. It is a whimsical and witty look at the coming of age of a ten year old boy in 1920's Scotland. He learns about sex by furtively studying his grandfather's books and pictures of unclad women. Put in the context of a completely naive ten year old mind, he develops some funny interpretations of the subject that are routinely and innocently blurted out in the presence of adults, usually to the mortification of his parents. This was a wonderful story and his journey to manhood should have been the subject of the entire movie.

The second story line was dull, and encumbered the film. This is the story of Fraser's father Edward. It centers around two key subplots. The first is his kooky childlike lifestyle, including crazy inventions and ineffective businesses. The second is his obsession with his Uncle Morris's (Malcolm McDowell) fiancée. Other subplots in this story line include a rivalry between Edward and Morris for the inheritance of the castle. This overly dramatic subplot bogs down the film and ruins the comedic and mirthful elements provided in Fraser's story.

The cinematography was splendid, helped greatly by the beauty of the Scottish countryside and the magnificence of the Castle the family called home. Fortunately, there was a character with an airplane that gave director Hugh Hudson a convenient excuse to show aerial views of the castle and the countryside which were simply breathtaking. The photography in this film is reason enough to see it.

The acting was excellent. Though I wish the character had less emphasis, Colin Firth was excellent as Edward, the quirky father figure. Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio gave a fine performance in a minor role as Moira, Edward's wife and the mother of his ten children. Once again, she had an opportunity to showcase her beautiful singing voice (see "Limbo" if you want to really hear her sing). Malcolm McDowell and Irene Jacob were also excellent as the uncle and aunt.

The best performance by far was that of Robbie Norman as young Fraser. He was full of innocent mischief and gave a convincing portrayal of the curiosity and nescience of youth.

I gave this film a 7/10. If you enjoy interesting character studies, slice of life films, beautiful scenery and comedy spawned of innocence, you will love this film. Had they stayed with the main story line, I probably would have given it a 10.

Fraser Pettigrew (Robert Norman) lives in a rambling Scottish estate with his enormous family, headed by his brilliant, eccentric father Edward (Colin Firth) and a strong-willed matriarch (Rosemary Harris). Like most kids, Fraser decides that he wants to know what adults know, and takes steps to find out: He studies his grandfather's collection of classy porn, watches his sister flirt with a plane pilot, and investigates the inheritance rumors flitting around

But his studies of adulthood takes an unexpected twist. His elderly Uncle Morris (Malcolm McDowell) arrives with the beautiful young Heloise (Irène Jacob) from France. As Fraser befriends (and becomes slightly enamored of) Heloise, he doesn't realize that Edward has become infatuated with her (midlife crisis, where is thy sting?). The increasing tension in this family threatens to explode, unless both Fraser and Edward grow up.

The settings for "My Life So Far" cannot be faulted. The vision of rural Scotland in the 1920s is genuinely lovely. There are plenty of lakes, mist, slightly crumbly castles and beautiful aerial shots of the woods and fields. And when the film focuses on Fraser's determination to come of age, there's a gentle, syrup-less humor to the writing.

Part of the problem is sloppy editing. Most of the subplots go nowhere and offer nothing. For example, Fraser sees a strange, ragged old man wandering around, who then dies mysteriously. Nothing comes of this, and no one cares. Similarly, his sister's flirtation with the plane pilot comes to nothing. The script meanders all over the map in a seemingly random fashion and peters out from lack of interesting material, rather than actually ending.

Most films hinge on the lead actor's performance, but unfortunately Norman is a very unengaging actor. He doesn't have the sparkle to charm us. Firth and Jacob's considerable talents are wasted; Firth's character flipflops randomly between being pitiful and being a genius; while this is how the character is supposed to be, we don't get to know him very well. And poor Jacob is basically reduced to a walking pretty face with a French accent.

When you hear that "My Life So Far" is based on the early life of a BBC pioneer and Chairman of The Royal Opera House, you would assume that it's much more interesting than it is. Only a few spurts of humor and the underused talents of Firth and Jacob redeem this at all.