FALLING FOR FIGARO review by Marinell Haegelin
Whoever says opera is uninteresting has yet to see director Ben Lewin ’ s newest film , co-written with Allen Palmer , Falling for Figaro . An Australian at heart , Lewin ’ s cast is full of Down Under natives delivering delightfully good and wonderfully nuanced performances . Whether cracking a witticism , struggling with a high / low note , or sidestepping something totally off-key , the accompanying timbre is majestic and majestically mangled music . Ah , such wickedness .
Millie Cantwell ( Danielle Macdonald ) has everything going for her : youth , intelligence , and good looks — besides a high-ranking position in investment management in London , a debonaire long-term boyfriend named Charlie ( Shazad Latif ), and a gorgeous apartment . Which is why , when Millie announces she is taking time out to follow her dream , everyone is struck speechless . Well , almost everyone ; Charlie accommodates her choice . Seeking out friend Patricia ’ s ( Vicki Pepperdine ) advice , she learns about 1 ) Scotland ’ s fast-track contest , Singer of Renown , and 2 ) the renowned opera diva-cum-singing coach Meghan Geoffrey-Bishop ( Joanna Lumley ); Millie wrangles an interview . Meanwhile , nestled in a wee village in the Highlands , Meghan has been working a while with Max Thistlewaite ( Hugh Skinner ) for that very contest , and the local boy is the community ’ s favorite . So when Meghan takes on Millie , naturally Max is bound to be perturbed . Millie even manages to gain the gruff hotelier Ramsay ’ s ( Gary Lewis ) favor — no wonder she was plump for promotion . The question is , though , whose quest has the temerity to triumph .
© 24 BILDER
FALLING FOR FIGARO
VERRÜCKT NACH FIGARO
AUSTRALIA | UK 2020 OPENING JULY 27 , 2023
DIRECTED BY : BEN LEWIN
WRITING CREDITS : BEN LEWIN , ALLEN PALMER
PRINCIPAL ACTORS : DANIELLE MACDONALD , SHAZAD LATIF ,
HUGH SKINNER , JOANNA LUMLEY , GARY LEWIS
This rom-com might seem unsurprising , but only if you miss the seriously minute gradations in the talented actors ’ portrayals . They swing easily from zesty ( sometimes rebelliously so ) characteristics to languid pensiveness , e . g ., Lumley ’ s reflective stares into a far-removed time / place . Lumley ’ s artfulness is attested to by her supreme nastiness ( fun to watch ), while Macdonald , a mezzosoprano indeed , adds charm and gracefulness . Falling for
Figaro ’ s production values are solid , views of the Scottish Highlands breathtaking , and the music soaringly good fun worth hearing . 114 minutes .