What an unusual composition - begins like a story about a girl, then the focus shifts from her to the guy she longs after, until another guy shows up in the second third of the film and becomes the main character whose destiny revolves around the said girl... sounds like a full circle and ends like a train wreck, but thoroughly enjoyable to watch. There's no "main" character and all the characters are flawed which is why the film is unsettling. There's no one here to root for and the characters are likable because they are well played. Which is also unsettling. What makes the ending so sad are some funny and tender moments in the film that reveal three- dimensional characters who inspire understanding and even sympathy. One hopes they will pull through. Even Hugh Grant's character with no redeeming qualities is hilarious enough to be forgiven. The sex scenes are great. I want to be Stella stuck in a damp room with Alan Rickman. The abrupt ending leaves the story unfinished, but that' life. I would cut out all the flashback scenes that seem like they don't belong in this movie. Other than that, I like the atmosphere and the whole look of the film.

I picked up this movie to watch based on a reviewers comment on the back cover that this is a comedy thus I was disappointed. It is not a comedy... it is a drama and a rather depressing one at that. Although there is good acting in it. Had I been prepared to watch a drama, I would have liked it better. It is not predictable like most Hollywood movies and it shows the quirkier side of people. I think this is the first time I have seen Hugh Grant portray a rather mean spirited character as he usually plays more likable roles. I think he acted it very well as did Alan Rickman... but they are both are great actors, thus no surprise.Twist at end.

This is one of the better films about theatre and what it does to some people. It resembles "The Dresser" in atmosphere to a certain extent, and in the portrayal of many of its characters. Both are set in Northern England during the 1940s, in rather faded theatres. Characters from one film could quite easily have inhabited the other. Here however we follow primarily the journey of a stage-struck young girl as she enters the strange and often unpredictable world of a repertory theatre -her own awfully big adventure. Note the irony of the title. Secret desires and yearnings linger under the surface, bitchiness and petty jealousy escort humour and the spirit of "the show going on" no matter what. It is however quite a dark film, and bravely allows us to get to know characters who are unsympathetic but not altogether unlikable. Alan Rickman underplays beautifully as always, and a restrained Hugh Grant demonstrates his considerable skill as a character actor. This is one of the most interesting of all his screen performances. Georgina Cates gives a stunning performance of the innocent (but not THAT innocent) girl drawn into the world of the theatre, and the supporting cast are faultless. Prunella Scales, Carol Drinkwater and Peter Firth deserve special salutes however. Lots to like here, but it is not at all a feel good movie. Nor is it meant to be.

I have sat through several bad movies, most of which to be fair had awful performances and dire plot, however this film contrives to be one of the most ghastly experiences of my life.Picture the scene - one goes to the cinema to watch some harmless piece of British costume drama and one is confronted by an eternity watching awful people perform awful acts on themselves and each other.I appreciate that the performances were actually good. I like Alan Rickman as much as the next person and even Hugh Grant is good in the film (and against type too; well done Hugh!), but still nothing - no review - no warning can prepare you for the horror of sitting through thisI once, near the end of the film (and thinking 'Well, maybe I just don't get it') turned to see the audience reaction - they appeared to be having as much fun as I was - both of them!Even dear old Prunella puts in an appearance (then again, there are always the supermarket ads, but the less said the better I feel) and is excellent.As a warning, I cannot recommend that you see this film - I aged 10 years in the first hour alone (how many hours did it take? I know not, but many by my physical reaction) Your time will be better spent digging that heavy clay in the north bed of your garden, or cutting your toenails, or cutting someone else's toenails or indeed watching the proverbial grass grow and paint dry.Oh, did I mention it was depressing too?Since writing this, a friend bought me, knowing how much I enjoyed the film, the Beryl Bainbridge novel. The book is fantastic and almost...almost makes me want to see the film again to see how they managed to turn a great piece of writing into an utter dirge.