School for Seduction (2004) Reviews

• A funny carefully crafted British comedy

  colin-2002004-12-26

  The long and sometimes unfairly maligned tradition of British comedy films is still alive and kicking - thanks be! I saw this film as an in-flight movie between Heathrow and JFK. There were about 8 other films that passengers could chose from including the latest Hollywood blockbusters. Given the loud laughs and cheers that broke out all round the jumbo jet just at the points where I was doing likewise there is no doubt in my mind that this film was being enjoyed by many. This is a well observed, well written and carefully crafted film. There are delightful performances from some of the cream of British light comedy actors. Dervla Kirwan, with her smouldering good looks, initially had me worried playing an averagely inhibited wife, but she carried it off and her performance gained from the difference between her appearance and behaviour. British comedies can either be too smugly Home Counties based or too self consciously "up north" but despite being based around Tyneside this film neatly avoids being obsessed by its location . This may not be high art, this may not convey any serious messages but the important task of entertaining and making people laugh, which this film does admirably, should not be underestimated.

• At last, a film you won't mind your girlfriend choosing!

  iankeegan2004-12-08

  I was dragged along to see School For Seduction by my girlfriend who was dying to see the film. I have to say, I'm glad I went! The film was highly entertaining, and not just because I was able to watch Kelly Brook seduce everything from a broomstick to a room full of salivating men (a lot better than watching miss jones wibbling into her diary about hugh grant, I can tell you!). There was more than enough laughs, an engaging plot and some good emotional parts (for the ladies, of course). So, if you want to earn yourself some brownie points with that special lady in your life, take her to see School For Seduction (and you won't have to suffer the usual drawl that your average chick-flick spits out)

• enjoyable

  eastbergholt20022007-10-14

  School for Seduction is a charming and mildly entertaining film about a bunch of women who mostly work at an Asda supermarket in Newcastle. Their men either don't understand them or take them for granted. They decide to become sexier and more confident and take a course in seduction run by Kelly Brook. Inevitably as they start to take charge of their lives, their outlook and relationships start to change. The acting is excellent and the characters are believable. Sue Heel has written an amusing script. The film doesn't try and appeal to a trans-Atlantic audience, so there are no-American stars. It just looks like life in Newcastle, warts and all. As a British expat living in the U.S. it was good to be reminded about the existence of saveloys and chips.

• A group of city women take a course in seduction given by an Italian sex goddess

  davidurieli2007-12-18

  This brilliant film is typical of the low budget type involving no special effect or set and needing no well known actors. It is in the same style as 4 weddings and a funeral, letter to Brezhnev, the full Monty, groundhog day, etc. very well written, funny and uplifting. A group of friends are in dead end jobs or relationships or suffer chronic lack of self confidence and are shown how to act the part even if they can't be the part until their life really changes. Can't understand the low rating some people gave it. This is way above the general popular run of the mill, blockbuster for sheer enjoyment and actually tells you something useful too. Added to that it is spoken in broad Geordie, my favourite accent in the world. Feminists might hate it for the mixed messages on sexuality, partly about female empowerment, partly about looking good for your man. I think it comes down decidedly on the former side.

• Perhaps a little more salt and pepper!

  markymnstr2006-09-11

  I analogize this movie to a good looking meal that looks like it should taste wonderful but no matter how many bites you take you can't believe how bland it is. The sound track was appealing and livened up the atmosphere. Definitely had its moments of humor but lacked cohesive story telling. It was like there were some good scenes, but not enough to string together. A missed opportunity that could have been a take off on Bridget Jones' Diary, or even Love Actually but fell disappointingly short. Sophia, (Kelly Brook) was of course gorgeous. The cast, overall, did a commendable job.