High Season

We originally bought this film to market it as a film oddity...Kenneth Branagh's only nude role. I then throughly enjoyed the Cinematography, the beautiful Landscapes, and the delightful acting job done by Irene Papas. The comedy is subtle it is really a combination of a drama and comedy...a dramedy. Peploe does a nice job bringing interesting characters to the screen. So much so that when Lesley Manville's character makes a mistake you want to cuss her out and when Irene Papas' character pulls some outrageous stunts near the end you can laugh and cheer her on as much as the Greek villagers did in the film. The film does a really nice job conveying the adventure of travelling and will be enjoyed most by people who have traveled some...and of course should also be enjoyed by Islanders of all sorts!

High Season is a film to be viewed over and over. It's like a trip to the Greek Islands. The element of crime, along with the "love-gone-wrong" factor, the elegance and charm of Jackie Bisset, and of course, the unapologetically gorgeous setting of the Agean Sea, all lend a magical air to this film. It will appeal to anyone who had ever been to the islands. One can almost smell the heady marine breezes billowing about. Kenneth Branagh adds that touch of "Duh?" and his mousey whiney wife is the perfect foil. When he becomes enamored of Jackie he is has all the charm of a besotted fish! but he's still in character. The fact that Jackie's character fails to capture in her photo journal The Light of Greece, only emphasizes the fact that Greece is to be experienced, NOT read about or understood through pictures. Clare Peploe is pure genius with this film. It's a constant treat!

It's really not awful, although not altogether good. Some commentors decried the lack of comedy in this supposed comedy. Well, it's really a lot more like irony, than laughing out loud. Wasn't much of a nude scene by Jackie Bisset either, but it could have been worse. She is still awfully beautiful, and nailed her character. There were a number of wry scenarios, and you have to give some credit to Irene Papas, here, too. I have to compliment the cinematography, but the Greek Isles scenery probably makes it easy to do well at that. Overall the film was just OK. Grade: C-

We were staying in Lindos when they were making this film. There was a poster up in the village square asking for people to be extras. Unfortunately it was for the week after we left so couldn't do it. Most, if not all, of the cast and crew were staying in the village. Never got to meet Jacqueline Bisset, but stood behind James Fox one day, in a little shop where he was buying fresh beef tomatoes and bread, amongst other things. Was too in awe of a famous film star to say hello. Have to give this film 10/10, if for nothing else than whenever I watch it it brings back wonderful memories of one of our best Summer holidays ever.