cmalt20 This film is completely charming. The relationships between father, Edward Pettigrew (Colin Firth) and son, Fraser (Robert Norman) is both of a bygone era and has a naturalness which is unknown to Hollywood.Adding in the allure of Irène Jacob (of 'La Double Vie de Veronique' fame (a master piece) and the understated performance of the long suffering wife of Edward Pettigrew (Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio - The Perfect storm; The Colour of Money) and we have acting at its very best.It's really difficult to avoid overuse of 'charming' with this film along with 'romantic' in the wider sense of the word - whether as enjoyed via the Pettigrew daughter Elspeth's teenage crush on the lusty and wordly (literally 'drop in') aviator; the interplay between the family matriarch 'gamma' (granmother - Rosemary Harris ); or the bashful servants agog at the 'goings-on' upstairs in the Pettigrew castle.Overall though, Firth and Norman steal the show and our hearts with an evocative unfolding of a life in Scotland before all was sullied by cars, television, mobile phones and the rest. A time when (as both Norman's and Firth's characters beautifully portray) imagination held sway.You leave the film wishing you'd had that life - 'so far' at least.Not surprsing that (Sir - if you believe in those kind of 'titles') Denis Forman (on whom the story is based) also was involved in the TV version of 'Jewel In The Crown' - the Indian classic of another bygone era.Similarly - Hugh Hudson, the direcor, famoulsy made Chariots of Fire and his capture of the charm or romance of a given time is again evident in this later work.Over all from this reviewer's perspective - this film perfectly conjured up both a bygone era and bygone ways of relating. So refreshing to have not only a non-American film but a non-English British work. The Scottish-ness lent it even more charm and it is SO REFRESHING to see a film based in or on Scotland which is NOT one of urban gritty violence and / or familial dysfunction. There are only so many 'My Name Is Joe' - type films emanating from Scotland which you can watch before throwing your hands up in the air and pleading for a nice 'feel good' Scottish film. This is it, revel in it , enjoy it: it's special.

mimacdon4 I loved this period piece set in Scotland during the 40's. It is a coming of age story of Fraser Pettigrew.Most of the story was told through Fraser's precocious eyes. Both he, and his father Edward, develop an infatuation with Malcolm McDowell's "exotic child bride"(Irene Jacobs). Fraser and his aunt share a sweet friendship;she turns him onto jazz, Louie Armstrong and the like.His father Edward's (Colin Firth) love is unrequited and misplaced. He is a sympathetic character in the story until he develops this wandering eye. He is a hypocrite in that he wants to be pious and he wants & takes his sister-in-law and becomes the devil he warns Fraser of. Edward Pettigrew's foolish fantasy is revealed at Gamma's funeral for all to see. His only redemption is the true love of Moira played by Mary Elizabeth Mastrianni, who forgives him for all his foibles.

FlickJunkie-2 This film had great potential, but it was too ambitious and tried to be too inclusive in telling the story. There are really two main story lines here: (1)Young Fraser's (Robbie Norman) coming of age and (2) His father Edward's (Colin Firth) misadventures.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 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.

jeand My Life So Far is a charming film, sweet without being syrupy, endearing but not bland, pointed yet not preachy. It is a gently meandering memoir of an idyllic age and place which probably never really was, but which we wish to believe existed once upon a time, populated by people we would be happy to know. Mostly, it is the joyous celebration of a devoted, loving, though imperfect, family, which not only survives its crises, but is, one feels, strengthened by them.The cinematography is breathtaking, making the most of the lush landscape, the opulent sets and the expressive actors. The screenplay is filled with poignant moments, both humorous and dramatic, while the acting is quietly beautiful and detailed, from Rosemary Harris' superb Gamma to Robert Norman's refreshing 10-year old Fraser. Colin Firth's stunningly rich, yet understated, performance as Edward, the complex father, by turns madcap inventor, loving husband, hypocrite, fool and life-embracing dreamer is a wonder.My Life So Far provides a delightfully rewarding escape from our rude, crude world to a paradise which, if not perfect, is perfectly enchanting.