Normality


Yesterday I met a friend and

Had sit down coffee at the Jaunty Goat
Watched a matinee cinema performance
And went OUT for a meal afterwards!!!

Simple pleasures but oh so welcomed after so long a hiatus
I felt almost normal!
Ok there are differences
The covid contact slips, the masks, the camp barista with a face visor wider than his hips
but , for an absolute age I felt that I had experienced a proper afternoon and evening out.


The movie was somewhat of a let down for me. Love Sarah is kind of advertised as one of those London based comic dramas the likes of Richard Curtis would adore.
Big characters, implausible plots, angst, romance and tearful asides all set against a beautifully shot London with its mews, and bespoke shops and floppy hair.
Here we have talented baker Sarah, killed on the eve she is about to open her first niche bakery. The accident leaves the three women in her life rudderless. Best friend Isabella (Shelly Conn) has sunk her savings into the venture and is now at risk of ruin. Her estranged Mother Mimi ( Celia Imrie) a retired trapeze artist! is racked with guilt for not supporting the initiative initially and her dancer daughter Clarissa ( Shannon Tarbot) finds herself alone and homeless and grieving
Can you see what is about to happen?
Of course the three women reluctantly join forces in order to open the bakery and with the help of a token sexy chef with a past ( Rupert Perry-Jones ) and an odd inventor ( Bill Paterson) they do
Cue heartwarming story and Notting Hill cuteness.

For me it just didn't work , which is a shame.
The characters are so under written that the actors , although an impressive bunch indeed, can't flesh out the bones of the story and all come across as rather lacklustre and bland

If you can't believe in the characters, you don't enjoy the story
Which was a shame

59 comments:

  1. a normal day - what are those? haven't had one in a long time.

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  2. Nothing could be more normal, than afternoon out and a slightly disappointing film. We haven't braved eating out yet, we have a little road trip coming up in three weeks. Hmm, we need to work on that.

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    1. I am still missing choir dreadfully
      God knows when that will start again

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  3. All that is missing from that photo is some jaunty bunting.

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  4. Sounds like mindlessness for a simpler time.

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  5. Agreed - it was Ok but slow. Today went to see Water lillies by Monet - very interesting documentary - glad I made the effort.

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    1. I will look at that x

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    2. Welcome sparks , have you commented before?

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  6. Anonymous11:46 am

    I don't know what Rupert Perry-Jones is like now, but he was kind of nice years ago and he had a voice to melt chocolate.

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    1. Looking good still Andrew but blonde

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  7. Still waiting for normal here. Not sure it will ever happen.

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  8. Replies
    1. I do too, but we all need to hike up our bra straps

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  9. Anonymous11:58 am

    Normalish at present for me involved an outdoor trip to a Car Boot Sale, in the open air, sanitiser at the ready, one way walking, no crossing lines!
    It felt good to be out, can l brave the Malvern Antiques Fair in a couple of weeks time? Dunno if l can yet!
    Still havn't been out shopping for anything but food since March!
    Do miss a mouch around a shopping centre, but just cannot do it, the lights, the air-con, the people, queing, waiting, won't go on public transport, what about the cafes,then the loo! Too much to worry about!
    Flippin' eck will l ever go shopping again?
    I suppose because work takes you 'out there' you have a different mind set on trips out John, and good for you to be able to get out and about and enjoy it.
    Tess xx

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  10. Things are odd for me too.Even walking my dogs I'm aware of getting close to others.Also I've eaten 4 courgettes recently which apparently can be toxic.I may start drinking again x

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    1. Crikey, I should be dead the amount of courgettes I eat.

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    2. The only lethal thing about zucchini is if you plant too much and you try to pawn off the excess produce to your neighbors under the cover of night! Zucchini are usually overly productive! Friends get squashed to death! LOL

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  11. Who would have ever thought that the world would be in such a topsy turvy state as it is now. Glad you could enjoy a somewhat normal day.

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    Replies
    1. Dinner out was a highlight
      I had almost forgotten what it felt like

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  12. At you were able to enjoy your day, but I'm sorry the movie was "less than wonderful".



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    Replies
    1. It was nice to feel we were in the land of the living

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  13. I’m in California and your day scares me just reading about it. I’m in the most vulnerable catagory on several fronts. I’ve been grocery shopping, the hardware store, and had curbside pickup at the library, masked everywhere. I can’t die before November when I will vote against Trump. It’s good to have a goal, so I’ve heard.
    Glad for you to have had a normal-ish day.

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  14. I've still not been to the flix since Mar 5th. Just tried booking for 'Stage Mother' [drag acts, cast incl Lucy Liu] but only showing here on smallest screen and, with regulation spacing, NO single seats being sold, so I'd have to book two seats together, which is just not on. So that's out. ---- Then next week comes the new Russell Crowe, 'Unhinged' [no, that's the film's title] which looks intriguing on the page, but so far only evening screenings. So that too is out. 'Tis thus a case of 'wait and see' - or maybe 'NOT see'.

    'Love Sarah' doesn't sound my cup of char so when it appears here will give it a pass.
    Btw: the very first time I ever noticed Bill Paterson at all was in 'The Singing Detective' which, I see, was all of THIRTY-FOUR years ago. [Strewth!] I think he only appeared in the one episode, the penultimate one, but a major scene as the doctor/psychiatrist [with beard] - and I was absolutely dazzled. He was DE-LISH-USS - and I was smitten.

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    1. I hope to see stage mother on Friday Raymondo

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    2. It finishes here this Thurs, so it'll be missed by me. :-( It's had some quite good reviews so hope you enjoy.

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    3. Me too Raymondo , one day we should go together !!!

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    4. 'One day' - yes, ABSOLUTELY!

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  15. I thought it was a Great British Bake Off photo when I first clicked on here. It sounds like it could have been a lot better. I'll give it a go though as anything light-hearted would be welcome here at the moment :-)

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  16. I prefer a movie with a bit of challenge. Good for you for getting out and seeing it, though. We still haven't been to a cinema (are they even open in England?) since all this began. We've been streaming some movies online through Curzon's digital cinema.

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    1. I've resisted this as I have a small tv and iPad
      I prefer a big screen

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  17. Here here to more normal.

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  18. Barbara Anne4:17 pm

    So glad your day was a delight despite the oddities due to the cursed virus and a less than perfect movie.

    It's been an age since I went anywhere other than the grocery store and library (a pick-up system akin to curb-side). When talking to a neighbor, we don't wear masks but we're a goodly distance apart.

    Hugs!

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    1. I needed to iron a t shirt ( nothing I've fine for months )

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  19. I love your cinema crits John - they are a lot better than those I read in The Times.

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  20. I haven't had a coffee in a cafe yet but have enjoyed take always with friends. I won't venture to a cinema for a long time but my son went twice last week. I've supported non food selling local shops now open by buying two dresses, a top, a jumper, a bag and a bracelet 😂😂😂

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    1. We've got to move on carefully , don't we x

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  21. My daughter and son-in-law were here Sunday for a "drive-by" visit (with them in their car and me talking to them from a safe distance). I told them I haven't touched or been touched by another human for five months. Thank goodness for my pets or I would be even more nuts than I already am. And I don't see any of this changing anytime soon. Sadly.

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    1. Rubber gloves.. face mask and hug that daughter of yours.

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    2. Big virtual hugs sent to you today
      Feel the force xx

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  22. "If you can't believe in the characters, you don't enjoy the story" I do agree. The whole film becomes implausible. The most vivid character I've seen recently is Mildred in "Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri" (yes, I've only just seen it!)

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    1. My favourite character of late too mcdormond was a revelation x

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  23. Chester... we have been thinking of visiting Chester as an overnight stop off when we visit our son in Cheltenham. Jaunty Goat might get a visit (as may Trelawnyd, even...). Not until Covid Crisis abates somewhat though, which I expect will go the opposite direction from abating soon. Sigh. I am drinking beer. It helps.

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  24. It would be lovely to see you both x

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    1. It's a possibility, someday, and if you are out we will leave a haggis scotch egg and a bottle of Innis & Gunn original on the wall...

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  25. Simple pleasures the best kind glad you had a good day John.

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  26. Sounds like a good day despite the disappointing film.

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  27. I found the movie rather formulaic and predictable and lacking in charm.

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  28. on ira chercher un grand cappuccino glacé au caramel avec de la crème fouettée mercredi le 29 juillet 2020 on ira chercher un grand cappuccino glacé au original avec de la crème fouettée samedi le 08 août 2020 on ira chercher un grand cappuccino glacé régulier avec de la crème fouettée dimanche le 09 août 2020 on ira chercher un grand cappuccino glacé léger avec de la crème fouettée mercredi le 12 août 2020

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  29. And none of tghe three women was the deceased's wife. Can't have that in a British rom-com.

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  30. And none of tghe three women was the deceased's wife. Can't have that in a British rom-com.

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