The Vernon Film Society’s second film of the summer season is What We Did on Our Holiday, a comedy about a family vacation that goes awry.
Rosamund Pike (Gone Girl, Made in Dagenham) and David Tennant (TV’s Doctor Who, Broadchurch) star as separated married couple Doug and Abi McLeod, who decide to play the happy family one last time for the sake of Doug’s dying father Gordie (Billy Connolly, Quartet).
With their three children in tow, the McLeods embark on a trip to the Scottish Highlands for a family reunion in honour of Gordie’s likely final birthday, hoping to return unscathed.
While Doug and Abi initially attempt to keep their marital problems under wraps — both to prevent family scrutiny and avoid upsetting Gordie — discretion proves impossible for their precocious children.
Tensions quickly rise among the reunited extended family, especially when a long-simmering sibling rivalry between Doug and his wealthy brother reaches a boiling point. Gordie decides to take the children to the beach to escape the squabbling, but events soon take a surprising and disturbing turn that puts all the family feuding into perspective and forces the clan to come together, despite their differences.
Featuring great comic performances from Pike, Tennant and Connolly, What We Did on Our Holiday is a hilarious and heartwarming comedy that is sure to delight audiences.
“It’s impossible not to enjoy this big-hearted and sweet-natured British family movie,” said Peter Bradshaw, with The Guardian.
What We Did on Our Holiday screens Monday at the Vernon Towne Cinema at the regular times of 5:15 and 7:45 p.m. Tickets are available one week ahead at the Towne and the Bean Scene for $7 (cash only).
