'Sunshine on Leith' (PG)

****

Based on the stage play of the same name, Sunshine on Leith follows the lives of two young soldiers recently home from Afghanistan. The film follows their trials and tribulations as they settle back into civilian life in Scotland, with added musical numbers based on the songs of The Proclaimers.

Yes, this is a musical but it isn’t afraid to shy away from the bittersweet nature of life. The opening sequence features our two heroes in the back of a tank in Afghanistan, instantly drawing us into a world of dread. As the camera pans along the line of young faces, they begin to sing ‘Sky Takes the Soul’ in an especially moving rendition. This sets the tone for the rest of the film and an overall premise – that everyone has scars but happiness can be found if you look for it. This being a film about three separate, yet also intertwining, relationships there are the usual ups and downs but the charm of the film takes you along with it. The characters are believable in their wants and desires, although the final spat between Davy (George MacKay) and Yvonne (Antonia Thomas) feels a bit forced… but this does mean the film ends on a very uplifting note.

I hadn’t realised how conversational the songs of The Proclaimers are, so in the singing sequences it really does feel as though the characters are talking to each other naturally rather than singing. I was worried that Peter Mullen’s singing would be reminiscent of Pierce Brosnan’s attempts in Mamma Mia! but I needn’t have worried as he has a lovely, gruff voice. All the cast are good singers and there were no notes that made me cringe such as in Les Miserables. The premise of the film means that there is nothing here to really stretch an actor’s skills too far but there is a lot to enjoy, especially some of the dance sequences. There are some tear-jerker moments, and a truly disastrous 25^th wedding anniversary, but the film doesn’t stray into sentimentality which it so easily could’ve done.

Finally, get ready to have a ridiculous grin on your face after the grand finale.

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