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film: Sunshine on Leith - a recommendation

15 Oct 13 - 08:18 PM (#3567233)
Subject: Sunshine on Leith - a recommendation
From: McGrath of Harlow

We just went this afternoon to see the film "Sunshine on Leith", which uses a set of songs by The Proclaimers - performed anew by the actors - to tell a story about a couple of young squaddies come home from today's war.

I've always loved The Proclaimers, but it's a revelation how the different way the songs are sung and presented open up new ways of reading them, and bring out the sheer beauty of tunes and words sometimes have.

It's a lovely little film. In fact it's the kind of film that can make and break friendships. I couldn't hate anyone who loved it, and I'd find it hard to love anyone who didn't. (Fortunately my wife loved it even more than I did...)


16 Oct 13 - 07:17 AM (#3567370)
Subject: RE: Sunshine on Leith - a recommendation
From: Sir Roger de Beverley

It is on at our local Odeon and we are planning to go next week.

R


16 Oct 13 - 07:24 AM (#3567375)
Subject: RE: Sunshine on Leith - a recommendation
From: Backwoodsman

Anyone who loves The Proclaimers is an OK guy in my book!
Can't wait to see it!


16 Oct 13 - 08:44 PM (#3567617)
Subject: RE: Sunshine on Leith - a recommendation
From: McGrath of Harlow

There are a couple of clips on YouTube to give a taste. I can't link to them right now because I'm using an iPad - see my thread asking about that. But Google gets you there. ( So does duckduckgo if you worry about privacy.)


17 Oct 13 - 03:55 AM (#3567693)
Subject: RE: film: Sunshine on Leith - a recommendation
From: GUEST,Allan Conn

|thought it was great too. Not as sugary (though it is a bit sugary of course being a musical) and better singing than in Mamma Mia. Great performances especially I thought from Jane Horrocks. But Edinburgh herself steals the spot for best actress. She didn't need to say anything just got herself in front of the camera.


17 Oct 13 - 04:39 AM (#3567705)
Subject: RE: film: Sunshine on Leith - a recommendation
From: Phil Edwards

Allan - I think that last point is the best recommendation yet! I love Edinburgh.


17 Oct 13 - 08:44 AM (#3567745)
Subject: RE: film: Sunshine on Leith - a recommendation
From: McGrath of Harlow

The idea of that girl longing to leave Edinburgh for Florida was weird. I know they've got more sunshine but... Emigration makes sense when it's your only chance of getting a job and a life, but if you've got those things already it's hard to understand for a place like that.


17 Oct 13 - 01:10 PM (#3567816)
Subject: RE: film: Sunshine on Leith - a recommendation
From: Uncle Tone

I've booked two senior ticklets to see it in Middlesborough with the new acting temporary prospective Mrs CW on Saturday afternoon.

Must remember to nail down the car for the duration.

Tone


17 Oct 13 - 09:24 PM (#3567923)
Subject: RE: film: Sunshine on Leith - a recommendation
From: GUEST,Guest

Sunshine on Leith!


That's either a Fairy Tale or an oxymoron.


18 Oct 13 - 04:16 AM (#3567968)
Subject: RE: film: Sunshine on Leith - a recommendation
From: Backwoodsman

Nonsense. I've had sun and lots of fun in Leith. You just need to be there at the right time, and know where to go!   :-)   :-)


18 Oct 13 - 12:04 PM (#3568060)
Subject: RE: film: Sunshine on Leith - a recommendation
From: Gallus Moll

Some of the Edinburgh scenes were actually filmed in Glasgow -- - -


18 Oct 13 - 04:30 PM (#3568111)
Subject: RE: film: Sunshine on Leith - a recommendation
From: Brian May

Watched it with SWMBO the day it was released.

Thoroughly enjoyed it, having seen the Proclaimers live in Hawick last year - they were superb therefore noticed their cameo appearance at the beginning.


18 Oct 13 - 08:06 PM (#3568149)
Subject: RE: film: Sunshine on Leith - a recommendation
From: McGrath of Harlow

their cameo appearance at the beginning

I missed that. I'll look out for it next time I see the film.

I'm glad the film will bring The Proclaimers to the attention of a lot more people. They deserve it.


19 Oct 13 - 03:02 AM (#3568192)
Subject: RE: film: Sunshine on Leith - a recommendation
From: Brian May

They emerge from the pub as the two soldiers are walking down the street, right ne'er the beginning.


19 Oct 13 - 04:29 AM (#3568207)
Subject: RE: film: Sunshine on Leith - a recommendation
From: GUEST,Allan Conn

The bit about the emigration was obviously to fit the song "Letter To America" in and admittedly on several songs you could tell about 10 minutes before they started that they were being lined up. But it isn't high art! Saying that since we moved into our house (ie two decades ago) we've seen three sets of neighbours up and leave for the other side of the world. All were families with both parents already in work and owning houses. In two of the cases the women were nurses and it was their new job that was lined up first. One went to Oz and one to NZ. So the idea of a nurse being lured abroad by better prospects isn't so unusual.

McGrath is right though in that other than the song's title the story didn't fit the words to the song. It compares the deindustrialisation of Scotland in the Thatcher era (Linwood no more - Methil no more) with the Clearances (Sutherland no more - Lochaber no more). You just kind of have to switch a bit of the brain off and just watch, listen and enjoy :-)


19 Oct 13 - 04:29 AM (#3568208)
Subject: RE: film: Sunshine on Leith - a recommendation
From: GUEST,Allan Conn

The bit about the emigration was obviously to fit the song "Letter To America" in and admittedly on several songs you could tell about 10 minutes before they started that they were being lined up. But it isn't high art! Saying that since we moved into our house (ie two decades ago) we've seen three sets of neighbours up and leave for the other side of the world. All were families with both parents already in work and owning houses. In two of the cases the women were nurses and it was their new job that was lined up first. One went to Oz and one to NZ. So the idea of a nurse being lured abroad by better prospects isn't so unusual.

McGrath is right though in that other than the song's title the story didn't fit the words to the song. It compares the deindustrialisation of Scotland in the Thatcher era (Linwood no more - Methil no more) with the Clearances (Sutherland no more - Lochaber no more). You just kind of have to switch a bit of the brain off and just watch, listen and enjoy :-)


19 Oct 13 - 06:29 AM (#3568230)
Subject: RE: film: Sunshine on Leith - a recommendation
From: Johnny J

Gallus Moll

"Some of the Edinburgh scenes were actually filmed in Glasgow -- - - "

I actually saw the film last night and wondered about that. Some of the the streets I recognised from Glasgow.

The film was very enjoyable albeit a little "escapist" in a good way.

However, I'd much rather have go to see something like this rather than Irvine Welsh' "Filth" which portrays Edinburgh's Underbelly. Yes, this exists and there are always extremes but this isn't everyone's way of life either.

There is a lot of good, optimism, and beauty in the world not only in Edinburgh but everywhere and this is actually the experience of many people. Although most of us have seen highs and lows in our time, we tend to be somewhere in the middle as far as our lifestyles and experiences go.


19 Oct 13 - 08:07 AM (#3568247)
Subject: RE: film: Sunshine on Leith - a recommendation
From: Gallus Moll

Glasgow has been used for a lot of movies recently -- not just as a substitute for Embry!
(Apparently the grid layout of the streets makes it very suitable for being an American city)


19 Oct 13 - 02:14 PM (#3568330)
Subject: RE: film: Sunshine on Leith - a recommendation
From: GUEST,Mr Red about to see Captain Phillips - film

did they sing Leithing on a Jet Plane?

I'll get my flying coat..............


20 Oct 13 - 12:20 PM (#3568534)
Subject: RE: film: Sunshine on Leith - a recommendation
From: GUEST,KP

Speaking as an Edinburgh resident,
a) its a great wee movie
b) I was there watching when they filmed the finale
c) One of the young stars was at school with one of my children!


20 Oct 13 - 05:52 PM (#3568617)
Subject: RE: film: Sunshine on Leith - a recommendation
From: GUEST,Eliza

LOL Mr Red. And is it true that the Leith Police dismisseth us?


20 Oct 13 - 08:43 PM (#3568656)
Subject: RE: film: Sunshine on Leith - a recommendation
From: McGrath of Harlow

I think it makes a lot of sense to link the devastation of a country in one time to the devastation in another. Circumstances are different in all kinds of ways, but the parallels are there. Communities are broken, families torn apart.

I wasn't even saying that it was unlikely that the lass would have wanted to go to Florida, even without being driven to it by desperation, just that it's a crazy choice to make, Miami (or wherever it was) for Edinburgh. Now the other way round, that would make sense.


21 Oct 13 - 08:49 PM (#3568711)
Subject: RE: film: Sunshine on Leith - a recommendation
From: Van

Leigh is not Edinburgh. Just for those who don't know.


22 Oct 13 - 02:23 AM (#3568749)
Subject: RE: film: Sunshine on Leith - a recommendation
From: GUEST,Allan Conn

Except that in reality it is now actually a part of Edinburgh and has been for some considerable time! Besides all the talk of Leith not being Edinburgh and some of the streets being actually Glasgow are by the by. The wonderful views that steal the show are bang in the centre of Edinburgh. The Old Town and New Town with castle looking down.


22 Oct 13 - 05:49 AM (#3568789)
Subject: RE: film: Sunshine on Leith - a recommendation
From: Mr Happy

Leigh is not Leith . Just for those who don't know.