TheLittleSongbird Not one of my favourite musicals, or one of my favourite films of all time. But 'Two Weeks with Love' is just impossible to dislike and easily one of the most pleasant surprises had over the past few weeks (seeing it on an old VHS belonging to an American friend who is a fellow fan of older musicals), standing above most "golden age Hollywood" musicals seen recently.Don't let the predictability of the story throw you off or that the outcome of the film is not hard to figure out at all early on. Judging it on what it aimed to do and what was expected, 'Two Weeks with Love' succeeds brilliantly and while it is not a masterpiece of the genre or of film when it comes to how well made, performed, enjoyable and easily digestible it is 'Two Weeks with Love' can't be beat.Visually, 'Two Weeks with Love' looks beautiful and was clearly made with love and care. The set and costume designs are sumptuous and elegant, actually feeling more expansive than the studio-bound look. The film is beautifully photographed too and boasts big, bold, rich colour that is just a feast for the eyes without being overdone or overly-garish.The music and songs are lovely and fill one with joy and emotion. The standouts are "Oceana Roll", "By the Light of the Silvery Moon" and "Abba Dabba Honeymoon", while it was wonderful to hear "My Hero" from 'The Chocolate Soldier' too. All are beautifully performed and staged. The choreography from none other than Busby Berkeley is both exuberant and intimate, while it may not have the imagination and wildness of Berkeley's very best work that's in no way a disappointment because more understated Berkeley but still with his usual pizazz and musicality fits better here.Was also surprised at how good the script was, full of genuinely funny humour (the corset stuff that could easily have been repetitive and out of date inducing good amusement still) and emotion. The story may not hold many surprises, but that doesn't matter when the energy and charm were so good, the fun was non-stop and also that some of what it had to say being genuinely sincere and touching. The nostalgic and romantic qualities 'Two Weeks with Love' were similarly handled beautifully. Direction is adroit throughout.Jane Powell captivates in her charm and not only does she sing beautifully but also like it came straight from her heart. Even better is cute, peppy and feisty Debbie Reynolds ('Two Weeks with Love' was seen in her memory too), who injects so much spark effortlessly and without over-doing it. Ricardo Montalban is so handsome and suave with great comic timing and energetic charisma. Louis Calhern is amusing and Ann Harding is no less delightful. Only Carleton Carpenter is a little on the wooden side and he doesn't look comfortable playing a character younger than he.Overall, a sheer romantic musical delight and is likely to have even the most sceptical of hearts swooning. 9/10 Bethany Cox

diannecf A beautiful, innocent show -- well sort of. The turn-of-the-century generation was not naive about sex, they just had a better way of making it subtle.Has nobody guessed? This is the movie which was updated to become, I kid you not, Dirty Dancing. The father-daughter tenderness, the girl who loves to dance and who takes over at the Catskill resort entertainment when the jealous leading lady has a problem, the coming of age of a woman on vacation with the cooperation of an entertainer -- "Mr. Robinson, your child is no longer a child." The parents' yielding to the breakdown of social barriers. It's all there.

ptb-8 Yes, remade as DIRTY DANCING! I was lucky enough to see this hilarious and enchanting film in real 3 strip Technicolor in the early 1970s when every Sunday night there would be a classic double at a local theatre.......I can't ever describe how beautiful the colour is / was in this format. Often it played with a 3 strip tech print of Singin In The Rain, so imagine the imagery left to take home and replay in my head...... The cinema was always full (700 +) and the crowd just roared with appreciation. This is a very funny film and one that really addresses teen worries in the most lovable way. One sequence where the families go night time boating with lanterns, all to the song By The Light Of The Silvery Moon is spellbinding enough to transport the hardiest soul to sheer bliss (my brother). Kids need to see this film today and if you can show it to them, they will put aside their demands and really come to love it. The raisins reference above is from the most uproarious dinner time gag early in the film. Have a look....it's delivered perfectly. Like the film.

Shield-3 There's just something about watching an MGM musical from their golden age. Musicals from that time had a special look and feel like nothing before or since, wonderful displays of showmanship and design and talent that cast a gorgeous glow over the screen. Sure, they were corny and silly sometimes, but they entertained.`Two Weeks With Love' is typical of this period. The story follows adolescent Patti Robinson (Jane Powell) on her family vacation to Kissimee in the Catskills, where she meets and falls in love with the dashing Demi Armendez (Ricardo Montalban). Patti pursues Demi and the hotel bellboy Billy (Carleton Carpenter) pursues Patti and Patti's sister Melba (Debbie Reynolds) pursues Billy, and Patti and Melba's Mama and Papa (Ann Harding and Louis Calhern) struggle to accept that their little girl is growing up…`Two Weeks' is one of those movies that's a pure joy to watch, just ninety minutes of lighthearted fun and sweetness. It's a time capsule from a simpler age, when problems were never really as bad as they seemed and true love could conquer all. Sigh