Almost Heaven (2005)

movie

(217)

Country: Germany
Genres: Comedy, Drama, Music
Release: 2005-08-25
Director: Ed Herzog
Writers: Ed Herzog , Paul Herzberg , Jessica Townsend , Bridget Lawless
Language: German | English
Stars: Heike Makatsch , Wotan Wilke Möhring , Katharina Schmalenberg , Ivan Shvedoff , Bernhard Marsch , Piet Fuchs , Valeria Risi , Wieslawa Wesolowska , Lars Gärtner , Kerry Stacey
Runtime: 102 min
Awards: N/A
AKA: Almost Heaven (United States of America) , Almost Heaven (France, French Republic) , Prawie w niebie (Poland) , Almost Heaven , Almost Heaven - Ein Cowgirl auf Jamaika (Germany) , Lively Up Yourself (Germany) , Akár az éden (Hungary) , Almost Heaven (Germany)
Plot: How many times have we seen movies about someone whose dreams are frustrated, fighting for the chance to realize those dreams? Often. And often, too, an element of urgency is added by making this person one who is terminally ill.In this version of that theme, a German woman has no wish but to sing in Nashville once before she dies. She is diverted to Jamaica and forced by circumstances to stay there long enough to notice that there is more happening right here and now than either her dream or her death. Her antagonist and co-protagonist is a Jamaican woman who is struggling with her own circumstances in a less than effective way.The setting is colourful and provocative. The performances of the main characters and the struggles they face are convincing and affecting.A couple of minor plot elements are indicated enough to be understood but not developed fully enough to be completely effective--no doubt the details can be found on a cutting room floor. The only addition I would have wished for would be a slight filling out of the characters' pasts, to increase the impact of their current circumstances. However, this is a minor criticism of a generally excellent film.In total, an engaging, entertaining, and uplifting film; a good antidote for ennui.
IMDB:tt0425202