How sad is this?

Film Perfection

a film so unique, intoxicating and bizarre that it not only demands another viewing, but is also forgivable as a satirical comedy where the jokes eventually take the back seat.

It's an amazing and heartbreaking story.

Sarah (Imogen Stubbs) dies during childbirth leaving Jack (Richard E. Grant) alone with baby Sarah. Jack struggles with his job and the baby. He becomes a drunk with drinking buddy William (Ian McKellen). The grandparents force him to face his responsibilities. He cleans up his act and William turns out to be a good babysitter. It's hard to work as a high stress lawyer while taking care of a baby. After getting waitress Amy (Samantha Mathis) fired, he hires the inexperienced American as the nanny. His mother Margaret (Judi Dench) keeps trying to interfere.It's a touching tragic romance at the start. It turns into a little bit of Mr. Mom. After 40 minutes, Mathis is finally introduced and it becomes a rom-com. The comedy is a bit light and gets a couple of small laughs. The romance is messy. I would have preferred to meet Mathis earlier. This has its moments and features some good actors. The characters are nice and the story is endearing.

There are several reasons why I wanted to see Jack & Sarah, and a couple of them are to do with one or two of the cast members. I am a huge fan of Ian McKellen and Judi Dench, and when I saw they were going to be in the same film together, I thought to myself this movie is going to be good! Overall, I was not disappointed. Some parts are slow, but the acting more than made up for it. Tim Sullivan's direction ensured that the film didn't get too sentimental, though some of it is very sweet and poignant, and the script is honest and touching. Jack & Sarah is very nice to look at too, the cinematography and scenery are both lovely, and the music is very warm and inviting. But the real delight is the acting; Richard E.Grant is very good as the high-flying lawyer/bumbling father figure, while Samantha Mathis is appealing as the nanny who falls for her employer. However, Ian McKellen as the tramp-cum-butler in a class of his own and Judi Dench as Margaret are the ones who steal the show, while Eileen Atkins gives terrific support. Overall, very nice and charming film. 8/10 Bethany Cox

This potentially heart-rending tale of one man's tragic loss and his attempt to go on with life is without the necessary emotional impact and dramatic power to really work. "Jack and Sarah" tries to encompass too many genres, swinging as it does from near satire to near pathos without warning, leaving the viewer more surprised than moved. Our writer/director Tim Sullivan appears to prepare us for an unorthodox comedy about starting a family, then hits us with a bombshell that causes the plot to make a complete about face. During the course of the film more about faces are incorporated (not blended) which serves only to tantalise, but not fulfil, the audience's emotions. Still, in this light it is something different - British of course - from the usual romantic-comedies being churned out these days.Richard E. Grant slides comfortably into the role of the dad who doesn't seem to know when he's on a good thing. A most enjoyable turn from an agreeable actor. In support of him is the evergreen Judi Dench, as his sour old mum, and Imogen Stubbs, as his tragic wife. Samantha Mathis is the other completely disarming lead, playing the young American lass who takes an immediate shining to baby Sarah, and promptly signs up as Jack's nanny.Certainly "Jack and Sarah" could have been an unforgettable, emotionally powerful drama. However the light, almost aloof manner that has been adopted here leaves a distinct British feel to this pic, but gives it no chance of becoming dramatically moving. Thankfully a change, yet falls short of its potential.Saturday, February 3, 1996 - Astor Theatre

I spent an hour hoping this movie was going to finally get in gear before deciding it just wasn't going to happen. It has its moments, but the story is ridiculous, as are the actions of the characters, the humor is mild and the drama is maudlin. While the main problem is the drab script and pedestrian direction, the movie is also harmed by Mathis' performance. This is not to say that she is particularly bad, but she is not warm and loving and charming to make the film's absurd premise work. She seemed kind of ordinary, and that is exactly what the role does not call for. I like Grant, and he's decent in this, although I think he only really shines in more prickly roles. This just doesn't make it.