David Kennaway Movies
- 2003
Stephen Whittaker loosely based his Rocket Post -- a romantic period drama leavened with quirky humor -- on the life and experiences of German rocket scientist Gerhard Zucher. The film opens circa 1938 in Southern England, where two expatriate aerospace engineers, Gerhard Zucher (Ulrich Thomsen) and Heinz Dombrowsky (Eddie Marsan), are attempting to use rockets as rapid-fire transports for regular postal mail. A regulating British official decides to assign both men to the Scottish isle of Scarp, where they can conduct rocket experiments sans interference. Personal complications arise, however, when Gerhard falls in love with local Scottish woman Catherine MacKay (Shauna MacDonald) -- and she with him. They enjoy a sweet, gentle, funny romance, and as Gerhard breaches success with his experiments, he finds his spirits lifted by the vicissitudes of Scottish life. But events take a decidedly darker turn when the Nazis show up and demand that Zucher return to Germany; if he refuses, his sister and her children will be executed. Suddenly, Zucher finds himself torn between his undying love for Catherine and his familial loyalty. ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide
- 1999
- NR
Four young couples attempt to navigate the twists and turns of modern romance in this romantic comedy drama. As Jules (Emmanuelle Beart) and Will (Daniel Lapaine) are toasted by their friends on announcing their engagement, the happy couple and six of their close acquaintances are trying to sort out their troubles with relationships. Jules is a successful businesswoman who is devoted to Will, but Will has no talent for fidelity and sees a certain prostitute on a regular basis. Billy (Sean Gallagher), a good friend of Will's, is a research scientist who is shy around women; when he finally does meet a woman who is interested in him, it turns out to be Dodie (Kimberly Williams), a single mother from America who espouses the virtues of tantric sex. Frank (Mark Strong) is an analyst in love with Daphne (Daniela Nardini), who loves making him mad. And George (Lee Williams) is a model whose relationship with Graham (Lennie James) is put to the test when George becomes a success and Graham has trouble dealing with his lover's new fame. Elephant Juice was written by Amy Jenkins and directed by Sam Miller, who previously worked together on the successful British TV series This Life. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Emmanuelle Béart, Sean Gallagher, (more)
