High Spirits

Despite some atmospheric moments, some OK special effects and likable performances by Peter O'Toole and Steve Guttenberg (Daryl Hannah is too "soft"; Beverly D'Angelo is disappointing), this film is a fiasco. It suffers from special effects overkill, and the plot, which potentially contains some interesting developments, makes little sense. I think I'll have forgotten all about this film by tomorrow... (*1/2)

Writer-director Neil Jordan (on a roll after the critically-acclaimed "Mona Lisa") nearly took his name off the credits of this low-level whimsy, saying the final result had been altered by outsiders. Perhaps they were hoping to find (or save) the center of Jordan's muddled plot, but in the end it's still a wash-out. Jaw-droppingly poor, heavy-handed comedy has tourists in an ancient Irish castle mixing it up with the ghostly apparitions residing there. The cast (including Peter O'Toole, Steve Guttenberg, Daryl Hannah, Liam Neeson, Beverly D'Angelo and Jennifer Tilly--a highly uneven troupe if there ever was one!) cannot get a grip on their characters and flounder (they should have threatened to remove their names as well). Romantic and comic shenanigans, noisy and manic (with tasteless dialogue), lands with a clatter. * from ****

Well, this is one of my all time favorites! It has not a complex story line, it's easy to watch, and easy to fall in love with the scenarios, the ambiance and the cast. Speaking of the castle, this movie earns great marks for it: the decoration of the sets it's brilliant, and gives a wonderful mood, and the outdoors are really beautiful. Daryl fits the part very well, although sometimes she looks like having too much make up on. With a hand full of good actors, a gorgeous soundtrack and sets that my dreams are made of, i can say that i watch this movie countless times (pretty sure more than 1000 times)and I recommend to be seen on a rainy afternoon, with dimmed lights and the fireplace on!

I thoroughly enjoyed this movie. Peter O'Toole is wonderful as are the remainder of the actors. This movie is part of my DVD collection. It's a screwball comedy about what people will do to try to save their livelihood, marriages, etc. Some of the situations that the characters find themselves in are a bit corny; however, they are still funny. It's also somewhat of a ghostly movie. I thoroughly enjoyed the ending. If you've ever lived in England, Ireland, or Scotland, the characters in this movie will remind you warmly of those people. It is a movie that you can sit down with the family and some popcorn and enjoy.

If you can forgive the less-than-ideal acting by some of the other cast, Peter O'Toole once again shows why he's one of the greatest actors in the English speaking world. From the scene where he's trying to hang himself while arguing with his mother, to where he meets his ghost-Dad, O'Toole is hilarious as the bumbling, scheming drunk Irish fool who is desperate to keep the family castle in family hands.

I agree with Claire Walkden. High Spirits is just the tonic for a blustery afternoon or an evening by the fireplace. The setting is authentic and O'Toole is at the top of his form. The wonderful mother (who tipples) is married to a ghost, AND SHE STEALS EVERY SCENE SHE'S IN! People who don't like this film are trying too hard to make it into Shakespeare. This is not Macbeth. High Spirits is to be taken with a grain of salt and enjoyed. Liam Neeson and Beverly D'Angelo are wonderful together! Just the difference in their height is hysterical. Some of the jokes are a bit labored and I could have done without the ghost-buster, but he was very funny with his fried hair! Not a great film, but a genuinely funny one and O'Toole is priceless!