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.

It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

Each character in this movie — down to the smallest one — is an individual rather than a type, prone to spontaneous changes of mood and sometimes amusing outbursts of pettiness or ill humor.

Actress is magnificent and exudes a hypnotic screen presence in this affecting drama.

To be perfectly honest, I had never heard of this film or the novel of which it is based on, until I happened to pick it up in a shop. The very fact it starred Bob Hoskins and Michael Caine was enough reason to buy it. What I love about this film is the simple story about a group of close friends who have gone through life together as drinking buddies in South London. It resembles so closely the traits, personality and conversations that all of us will recognise. The basic story is Jack (Caine) has requested that his ashes be scattered into the sea off the end of Margate Pier, the story follows the journey made by his best mate Lucky (Hoskins), Lenny and Vic, plus his son Vince (a young looking Ray Winstone). Through numerous flashbacks we build a picture of their lives through the years, highs and lows. Its a lovely film, and to be perfectly honest the ending gave me a lump in my throat.

This is a well told poignant story with a collection of great actors unsurpassed in any films of the past 10 years. Other than the regrettable casting of Kelly Reilly, a good actress, in the roll of the young Amy played by Helen Mirren who looks nothing like Helen Mirren nor has similar body language or general presence to her. However; this one small flaw does not keep this from being a very memorable film experience for the viewer.This well-crafted film has the appeal of being a learning experience as well as one of entertainment. I am a 'baby boomer' and most of us are coming to grips that life is a limited proposition and that the truth of life is that if one has made good friends and brought joy to the lives of others that we have lived a rich and full life and can face death without regret. If you have not seen this film watch it. If you have only seen it once, see it again as the second time viewing is even more rich with new learning and reward.

This movie was shown on a public TV network (TVO) in Ontario Canada tonight. I was apprehensive about it, because I thought the book was very, very good and movies... well you know what I am getting at.To make it worse, our local TV listings gave the movie only 2 out of 4 stars.Well certainly the movie deserved 3 out of 4 stars, 2 is a travesty. I thought they did a very good job with regards to the story that was in the book, with one exception perhaps regarding the money that was won for the wife (I haven't read the book in a while, maybe I forgot something about that).Certainly the cast was outstanding, I would watch Helen Mirren reading a phone book, but her part wasn't that big, but Hoskins, Hemmings, Caine and Courtenay were all great.I can't wait to re-read the book, which is saying a lot in favour of any movie.

From Fred Schepisi, director of Roxanne and Fierce Creatures, this is quite a good drama. Basically it is all about the friends of Jack Dodds who have been given the difficult "last orders" of scattering his ashes to the sea. These friends, Vic Tucker (Tom Courtenay), Lenny 'Len' (David Hemmings), Ray 'Raysie' Johnson (Bob Hoskins) and (I think) Vince 'Vincey' Dodds (Ray Winstone) on the journey remember the good times with their friend as butcher and pub mate. Sir Michael Caine as Jack in the flashbacks is the nice guy with a good personality. I cannot remember much of what happens, besides the scattering, and the fact that Caine and Hoskins are in it, but it is definitely worth seeing. Also starring Dame Helen Mirren as Amy Dodds. Good!