Customer Reviews

Greenfingers [VHS]

5 star:		(27)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The first word that comes to mind when I think of this British film is "lovely." It's a wonderful comedy with a touch of drama and romance -- a perfectly lovely combination, if you ask me...

The story, which is based on true events, revolves around Colin (Clive Owen), a prison inmate who's transferred to an experimental prison called Edgefield. There, inmates live with more freedom. There aren't any high fences or armed guards. And each inmate gets to do a job that will give him the experience he needs to get hired once he's released.

Colin is a somewhat anti-social prisoner who won't talk to anyone -- not even his friendly old roommate, Fergus (David Kelly). But when Fergus gives Colin a package of violet seeds for Christmas, everything starts to change. The violets bloom in the spring, and they give Colin his own personal calling. After the warden finds out about the violets, he appoints Colin and Fergus (along with three other inmates) to create a garden for the prison.

Greenfingers is a light-hearted feel-good movie that's guaranteed to put a smile on your face. It's got the same light-but-potent humor as Waking Ned Divine (in which David Kelly played Michael O'Sullivan) -- and it's absolutely perfect for winding down from a long week on a casual Friday night.

This is one of those movies that audiences like and critics don't. Despite lukewarm critical reviews, a large crowd was at the screening, and we all seemed to enjoy it.

Greenfingers is funny, moving, and very well acted. Clive Owen gives a magnetic performance as a prisoner who becomes fascinated by gardening, and Hellen Mirren is great as the overbearing English grand dame of gardening. The jokes are wonderful, and the story of people trying to turn their lives around against difficult odds is quite touching.

Those who equate sophistication with violence or cynicism will dislike Greenfingers, but if you liked the Full Monty and Billy Elliott, you'll probably enjoy this charming British film too.

R-rated films come in many degrees of violence, profanity, sexual explicitness, and so on. This is one of the milder R films I have seen.

This is a movie I had never even heard of, but with my new found love of Clive Owen movies, I had to check this one out. I just loved it, and I enjoyed watching it a second time, and will probably enjoy it as much the third.

It's a sweet, albiet, mostly predictable movie, but I just don't think there is anything wrong with that. I hope that with Clive Owen becomming even more well know that this little gem will get a second chance to be discovered. It's in the model of so manyn other British comedies that come our way, and it's a movie that will keep a smile on your face right through to the end credits. I think people should treat themselves to this sweet prize.

According to the old saying there are only two sure things in life: Death and taxes; and while that's all very pithy and emboldening in a way that suggests machismo with a John Wayne swagger, it isn't entirely accurate. Because if there is one constant in life, it's the fact that everyone makes mistakes, and moreover, that if given the chance most will at least attempt to set to rights whatever bitter pill has been wrought by their personal indiscretions and miscalculations, whether felony or misdemeanor. Which is precisely what writer/director Joel Hershman considers in "Greenfingers," a comedy/drama that seeks out the good in the bad while making a statement about the redemption afforded by the proverbial "Second Chance." Like the amazing gardens at the center of this story, and in which Hershman's metaphor can be found, this film is about the cycle of life; about death and rebirth and hope. It's a story based on actual events, told by Hershman with warm good humor and in a way that reaches out to the humanity in us all, offered for the contemplation of his audience with an eye upon a world that is in all ways a bit brighter and better.

In his youth, Colin Briggs (Clive Owen) made a mistake; and he's spent fifteen years doing hard time in prison because of it, with no indication that he'll be getting out any time soon, if ever. But the powers that be have decided he's a perfect candidate for an experimental "open prison," program, an environment without walls that will afford even "lifers" an opportunity for parole if they can make good at it. Initially, Colin is not keen on the idea, but he has no choice in the matter. He's summarily transferred, and once in his new digs he is befriended by Fergus Wilks (David Kelly), an old man who will pay for his crimes until the end of his days, but who has a perspective on life that has a subtle effect on Colin's future. It is Fergus who gives Colin a small gift that ultimately turns his life around-- a small packet of flower seeds which Colin proceeds to plant in an unlikely place in the dead of winter with no hope that anything will ever come of it. Colin, however, is about to discover one of the mysteries of life; that in a seed-- any kind of seed planted anywhere in the world-- there is the gift and promise of life. And the following Spring presents Colin with another gift-- a surprise that is going to change his life forever.

With this film, Hershman has crafted and delivered a story rooted in a subject that is essentially "hard" in nature, but he takes a positive, gentle approach to it that makes it entirely accessible and engaging. It does, in fact, provide an eye-opening perspective to an area that many are prone to view with a closed mind. Many (Roger Ebert among them) will claim that the characters portrayed here are predictable stereotypes, which on one hand is true; but on the other hand, stereotypes are often a reflection of reality, which is decidedly the case here, and moreover, Hershman successfully delves beneath that outer skin from which the label is derived to find the uniqueness that resides at the core of each of these individuals. There are so-called "stereotypical" responses and reactions effected by some of the characters here, as well, but again, within the context of the story, they are no more than a reflection of what a like situation in real life would evoke. In the final analysis, "life" is filled with stereotypes, and what is too often deemed "predictable" is more often than not a depiction of something that would be more accurately described as "inevitable." All of which Hershman so eloquently conveys in his film.

Though they would never admit it even to themselves, "professional" critics with one too many reviews under their substantial belts are often too jaded to appreciate the nuances of a film like this and take the easy way out, seeing only what they "choose" to see, and unfortunately it is that dismissive attitude that finds it's way into their comments; one even went so far as to say in print that what amounted to his "subjective" opinion was to be taken as the definitive view, inasmuch as he is "paid to know these things." And it is that attitude that diminishes the credibility of the "professional" critic, and in the end often renders what they do a disservice to the filmmaker and the audience alike, which is the case in point here. And it points up the necessity of seeing and judging for yourself; do not be dissuaded from a good thing by ramblings touted as "educated" under the banner of a byline, beneath which lies a personal agenda that often supersedes any and all objectivity.

Under Hershman's steady hand the story comes to life through a number of solid performances, most notably Owen, who successfully captures the stoic resolve and acceptance of a man who has paid, and continues to pay, for the single misstep of his life. And it's that reserved countenance more than anything else that makes Owen's portrayal so convincing, that sense that he sees his glass as half full and half empty at the same time; a kind of hopeful/hopeless attitude that is entirely believable for a man in his situation.

The standout performance, however, is turned in by Helen Mirren, as Georgina Woodhouse, a kind of "Martha Stewart" of gardening in England. She lends some true blue "character" to her character and adds a bit of spunk and attitude that makes Georgina entirely believable. In a wide-brimmed hat and colorful attire that reflects the beauty of her beloved gardens, she is absolutely radiant. And when you factor in the performances of David Kelly, Warren Clarke and Natasha Little, it makes "Greenfingers" a film not only to be seen, but embraced.

This is a great example of british acting and cinema. Clive is amazing as the prisoner that has a dark secret. He stumbles into gardening at a prison that tries to get the inmates ready for the outside life. It leads to self discover and finding a purpose in the lives of the inmates involve. They even get to enter into some very important contest. They learn by reading a famous gardening experts books , who later sponsors them into contests and exhibts and other work. Helen is also excellent and the supporting cast is awesome! I f you love Clive this is a must see!

Rottentomatoes.com, netflix, and Amazon reviews have taught me something astonishing: literate users of the latter services usually have better and more reliable taste than the professional critics collected on Rotten Tomatoes. Case in point: GREENFINGERS. Less than half the critics on Rotten Tomatoes gave it a favorable rating, but Amazon & netflix reviewers give it 4 ½ stars. Apparently we appreciate its typically British understatement, mild humor, and a story which may be slight of plot but which doesn't slight its characters. (Hmmm...these are qualities which fans of LOST IN TRANSLATION claim to find in that movie. Perhaps if GREENFINGERS' director were named Coppola instead of Hershman, then he would be up for an Oscar, along with Clive Owen, Helen Mirren, and the rest of the cast and crew.)

If you liked WAKING NED DEVINE or LOCAL HERO or any of a number of small, well-crafted British films about the character of ordinary people, you will probably enjoy this movie. It lacks gratuitous nudity, violence and profanity, graphic sex, special effects wizardry, and cheap shots at other cultures, but these omissions just make it better. The film is technically as self-effacing as the performances - - all in the service of story, rather than for calling attention to the makers' cleverness, or hipness, or at least what masquerades as such among the unenlightened.

This is a movie about growth and transformation, not about stasis. It is about people with the character to make the most of their situation in life, no matter how apparently bleak. It is about the heroism of daily struggle to find meaning and value in the small things of everyday life, about simple faith, about making a difference, about love, forgiveness, and redemption, and ultimately about what it is to be human. Four stars.

Greenfingers is the story of Colin, a convict in the British prison system. Colin, who has been in prison for over ten years, is a model prisoner. When he is eligible for bail he is sent to a `work camp' style prison (Edgefield), where he is supposed to learn a trade.

Not caring about his fate, Colin isn't particularly choosy about which trade he learns and ends up in Maintenance. Eventually, inspired by his elderly roommate, Colin learns to garden. Through gardening, he finds a way to put the past behind him and heal himself and others by growing wonderful plants and contributing to the community. Inspired by Colin's success a new work furlow program is initiated. . Through the program Colin makes new friends, a new love interest, and helps the men learn new skills. When a valuable art artifact is stolen from the work site, Colin and the convicts are blamed. Can Colin overcome his trouble to prove that Gardening has been helpful in rehabilitating the inmates of Edgefield?

Although this movie was billed as a comedy, its not, really. I'd call it more of an `inspirational' movie of the sleepy `driving Miss Daisy' variety. Colin is a likeable character with a checkered past. The fulfillment he finds gardening is quite entertaining. The other convicts are well portrayed and believable. I recommend Greenfingers for those who are looking for an inspirational movie everyone will enjoy. You won't be disappointed.

Ever since The Full Monty, the British have become the main producers of quirky, unusual comedies about ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances. Of course, some of them work better than others; Greenfingers works very well indeed. The plot is funny, the writing avoids predictable turns and cliches, and Helen Mirren and Clive Owen lead a wonderful cast. That this movie is inspired by a real story only makes me want to recommend it even more.

Who wouldn't like this movie: great cast, great music, and the most beautiful flowers I've seen in a long time! Most people are only paying attention to Helen Mirren and Clive Owen, but I really enjoyed the performance of Warren Clarke and the actor who played Raw.
For people who liked Helen Mirren as the two Elizabeths, this movie is a sure hit.

This is a charming story of one man's finding redemption in becoming a gardener. As a young man, he accidently committed a crime which resulted in his incarceration. He felt himself to be of no value and simply wanted to be left alone in prison. A new idea for prisoner reform placed him in a position to find a quality of life and quality in himself. As he became more interested in gardening, he began to relate to others and they to him.

This little film has joyous moments and moments of deep reflection. And, of course, it has Clive Owen which is always a good thing.