Abi and Doug take their kids on a little holiday to Scotland where grandpa Gordie is celebrating a big birthday – and possibly his last. It’s the cancer, you see, which is why Abi and Doug are determined to keep a wee little secret from his dad: they’re divorcing. Have been acrimoniously separated for quite some time. So of course they’ll have to enlist their three precious children into this lying scheme of theirs, and of course that’s not going to be easy. The eldest child is just starting to think that lying is wrong, and being forced to lie by the people who have always taught you not to is just a little hypocritical. The two littler ones are just straight up liabilities. So this is going to be a fun holiday!
I clicked on this because I saw Rosamund Pike plays Abi (and David Tennant her ex-husband) but was most pleased to find Billy Connolly playing grandpa Gordie. He brings such a unique energy to things, I was immediately swept off my feet. And this 
is not exactly an excellent movie. But Connolly is pretty much everything you could ask for and more, and the kid actors are a goddamn delight. They’re mouthy and disarming – the kind that completely enchant you, unless they’re yours. But they’re not, so you can sit back while your own are in bed and watch their antics, guilt-free. Because oh yes, there will be antics. It’s a silly little film that, in the end, I enjoyed quite thoroughly. It’s a notch above a time-waster; a movie that doesn’t need to be seen with any pressing urgency but if you come across it randomly you might find yourself pleasantly surprised, as I did.
Billy Connolly was diagnosed with Parkinson’s and prostate cancer right before filming began. He kept that to himself. He has stepped out of the spotlight since and his health is failing; he shocked people with his altered appearance when he made time to do a Red Nose video for charity earlier this year. I can’t quite bear to contemplate a world with Connolly in it. If you’re a fan of his, maybe watch this movie now, while the memories are still good.
ASSHOLES WATCHING MOVIES 
I did not know that he was so ill. That really is terrible news 😢 Let’s hope for a miracle here. He is such a terrific actor.
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I didn’t know either. 😦
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I will see this one!
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I did not know Billy was ill. This makes me so sad. I’m off to watch this movie have a wee cry.
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If you haven’t seen it, check out Billy’s ‘Tracks across America’, made last year as a 3 part series, it’s been put together in a video and is on youtube. He did it in 2016 in spite of his illness and it was lovely.
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I hadn’t heard about his illness. This trope was kinda popular years ago. We’re talking ’30s and ’40s. Although, not quite done like this.
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I am SO seeing this the next time I have some free time. It seems like exactly what I need – a giggle with no strings attached.
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I’ve had this on my list for a while, but just haven’t gotten around to it.
He’s a national treasure. Plus, flicks are 37.8% more enjoyable if Billy’s involved.
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Saw this a year ago and it’s a lovely film…..really enjoyed the strong cast and thought it was warm and bittersweet in places. Another small film overlooked here in the States.
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I can’t quite contemplate it either. Roger Ebert, Tom Clancy, some giant influencers of my life are going.
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Billy Connolly was the stand up comic when I was growing up.
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Nice post 😄
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