Just perfect...

I cannot think of one single thing that I would change about this film. The acting is incomparable, the directing deft, and the writing poignantly brilliant.

The movie turns out to be a little better than the average. Starting from a romantic formula often seen in the cinema, it ends in the most predictable (and somewhat bland) way.

All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

Prolific TV writer Simon Nye (Men Behaving Badly), teams up again with Martin Clunes (Men Behaving Badly/Doc Martin and much, much more!) for this 50 minute re-take on the 'Beauty and the Beast' fable. An ugly man lives isolated in a massive house tended to by the live-in help, Mr. and Mrs. Robbins. (Peter Vaughan and Gwenllian Davies are magnificent fun as the devoted manservant and the terrible cook.) They try to set the poor fellow up with toffee-nosed totty, but nothing really works.When the boiler goes on the blink for the umpteenth time, it's finally time to call in real plumbers (Sam Kelly) and his daughter, the delicious Cathy (Sienna Guillory.) Cathy manages to break an expensive vase and thus begins an unlikely friendship...A delightful and funny script makes the whole story race by far too quickly. It's a simple tale with a big heart and some very funny moments along the way.The experienced director, Ben Bolt (Doc Martin... yeah, welcome to the incestuous world of British television!) directs the teleplay with just the right amount of gentle humor. The story doesn't get mushy and it all ends very nicely. At the very end, we learn even more about the beast... something that will make the union of Tom and Cathy a very satisfying one indeed! ;)Great British television!

Was surprised to see how nicely put together this was in spite of its being a relatively short film. The acting and cast were excellent. The story was heart warming. Somewhat predictable but quite charming none the less. Martin Clunes is always fun to watch as he appears quite comfortable in his own skin even if made to look very homely indeed. He has the most wonderful speaking voice, very smooth and warm. You can't help feeling sorry for his character in spite of his wealth and bitterness. I have never seen the leading lady in a film before but she is just as talented as she is beautiful. The end will leave you smiling. Highly recommend.

I thought that this might be part of a serial, or series when I hired it. Turns out I was right, but not how I had imagined it. This is short film, delightful and highly entertaining. The crux of the matter is the awkwardness of the hero due to his disfigurement, which one would have thought would have been brought before medical experts when he was a child, however that would have spoiled the story. It is funny, charming and basically believable although limited by the budget. Martin Clunes has the most incredible speaking voice - I think he could read a train timetable and be interesting. However, his character is less than adorable, given that he is spoiled and temperamental. Still, apparently all that vanishes with l o v e. The rest of the cast are just as enjoyable and most are old friends of TV viewers. Excellent casting and good value.

I was dubious about watching this TV film when it re-ran on ITV. Mainly because of it's followup, Vontrapped, with Caroline Quentin, which was extremely dark and full of modern day 'issues'. I was in for a pleasant surprise.The setting of this film was superb and believable, and furthermore the casting was excellent. Martin Clunes perfectly played the rather stuck-up Englishman clinging to the ways of the past in his run down stately home, hiding from a world he believes is not ready to accept his appearance.The film challenges issues of the holes we create for ourselves, and furthermore the assumptions we make about other people's beliefs and acceptance levels. If you want to have a heartwarming tale which is beautifully shot and acted, this would be the one to chose. Its short, but packs in everything it needs to in the time. Its funny, but poignant, and subtle. And for this I think it merits a high rating.