CAST: Rachel Griffiths, Jonathan Pryce, Matthew Rhys, Ioan Gruffudd, Ruth Madoc.

Annie Mary Pugh (Griffiths) is a young woman who lives with her emotionally manipulative father, Jack (Pryce), the village baker and beloved voice of the valley. Possessing a powerful tenor voice, it is not unusual to find Jack doing his bread rounds dressed in a Pavarotti suit and mask, singing arias from a Puccini opera over the loudspeakers permanently rigged to his delivery van. Everyone treats him like the local celebrity, and the ladies are especially susceptible to his charms  being a widower only adds an adorable vulnerability to his general adorableness, especially according to the also widowed Mrs Ifans (Madoc). Everything in the Pugh household appears rosy from the outside, but Annie Mary suffers under her fathers strict control and constantly seeks his approval, which he is determined not to give.

All this begins to change one fateful day, and a young gay couple, local caf? owners Hob (Rhys) and Nob (Gruffudd), take Annie Mary under their wing, and begin to re-ignite her repressed dream of becoming an opera singer. An opportunity to join a female singing troupe and travel to Cardiff for a talent competition sets the wheels in motion, and there are a couple of surprises along the way. I dont want to give away any more.

This is a quality effort, a bit of an emotional creeper. I liked the operatic angle. I have seen better examples of this type of film, though. Maybe it just comes down to the charisma of the main characters/actors for me, and, in comparison, Little Voice is a far better example. Still, all the typical quirky village elements are present in this, and the acting is good all round. Jonathan Pryce and Rachel Griffiths offer studied performances. Madman/AV Channel is great for consistently releasing interesting films into the DVD market - it sorely needs it.

THE EXTRAS

This is a better than average effort. Still, I watched these extras before I saw the feature, and have to say that they added very little to my appreciation of the film. There is your essential scene selection, but only English subtitles  perhaps because of that pesky Welsh accent which could give some viewers a challenge. There is a directors commentary, a theatrical trailer, madman propaganda (featuring four trailers), Behind The Scenes, On Location and Cast And Crew Interviews.

Behind The Scenes is 10 minutes of very brief interviews with Griffiths, Pryce, Rhys, Gruffudd and Madoc about their characters. Mercifully short. Most of the time, letting actors speak when theres no script is NOT a good idea  especially young actors! Often, the biggest words they can use in the correct context are fun, great and character. Then again, I better curb the bitchiness  this film aint Shakespeare!

On Location is 16 minutes of behind-the-scenes segments  you get a glimpse of the logistics of filmmaking and see the writer/director, Sara Sugarman, in action. More interesting to me than actor interviews.

Cast And Crew Interviews. Yes, theres 16 minutes more up close and personal with the actors named above. Better because they spoke to the director and the producer, at least. Still, as expected, its a nice, sanitised, mutual admiration society that is boring overall.

CONCLUSION

Anyone into those quirky, bittersweet UK village musical-dramas will like this film, starring our own Rachel Griffiths as a repressed Welsh girl/woman who is dominated by her controlling father, and struggles to achieve independence. This style of drama is clearly flavour of the month, and follows in the footsteps of The Full Monty, Little Voice, Billy Elliott and Brassed Off to name a few. Writer/director Sara Sugarman does a decent job of it, and challenges you not to reach for the tissue box. I have a feeling that women would especially like this film  a decidedly female perspective resonates throughout.