Sunshine on Leith
A delightful antidote to Scottish cinema's social-realist miserablism, starring George MacKay
If Scottish cinema has become synonymous with dour, social-realist miserablism in recent years, then Sunshine on Leith is the joyous, toe-tapping antidote we have long been awaiting.
A sweeping opening shot asserts the cinematic scope and ambition of the project as a helicopter crosses a night sky. Soldiers in Afghanistan survive a devastating attack before heading home. What happens next? How do you find love, loyalty and get on your way from misery to happiness? These are the big questions facing best mates Davy (George Mackay) and Ally (Kevin Guthrie) as they return to the welcoming bosom of their grateful families.
Rousing, sing-a-long anthems and poignant Proclaimers ballads are skillfully used to advance the story and underline the hopes and heartaches of the boys, their potential girlfriends and Davy’s parents (Peter Mullan and Jane Horrocks). All of the cast can hold a tune and director Dexter Fletcher stages showstopping numbers with aplomb. The Edinburgh and Glasgow locations look fabulous and you will leave with a tear in your eye and a smile on your face.
General release from Fri 4 Oct.