The View from Greenhaven (2008) User Reviews

Never too old for a second chance in life...

[DukeEman · 7/10 · 30 August 2012]

This production was part of the Project Greenlight Australia (PGA), and the last one made under that banner. The previous Greenlight Aussie Project movie was the neat little thriller, Solo (2006), and it enjoyed a modest release compare to this production which was ignored on its initial release. I entered the PGA and only managed to make it in the top 100. As usual a losing competitor would expect the project that did win to be lame, no matter what. In this instant I was very impressed with THE VIEW FROM GREENHAVEN, a very cute warm and heartfelt film about giving yourself a second chance in life regardless of age.

Chris Hayward was perfect for the role and took it on many levels. Wendy Hughes was on par and the rest of the acting troupe was up to scratch. On many levels this reminded me of a Frank Capra film with the many eccentric and lovable characters that give the story that extra boost. Maybe a longer runtime and better script structure would have strengthen the supporting characters and more importantly given more credibility to the main characters.

A very enjoyable movie with some wonderful moments let down by some bland moments.

Disappointing, given the acting talent on show

[PeterM27 · 3/10 · 23 January 2021]

Although there is a lot of acting talent in this dramedy, it is a plodding effort with little spark. Chris Haywood plays a grumpy old retired man who spends most of his time in his shed; and Wendy Hughes (in her last film) is his long-suffering wife, unfulfilled but with little idea of what to do about it. Their daughter and son-in-law (Susan Prior and Russell Dykstra) take the mother's side, and try to inject a bit of spark into their lives, but things go wrong when the mystery train goes to Greenhaven. It's all a bit flat with annoying characters, and dull dialogue, and too many obvious, knowing looks. Wendy Hughes' character is particularly uninteresting, a disappointing end to a good career. Chris Haywood tries his best, but he isn't given much to work with. Only the motor cycle sequence at the end adds a little interest to the story, but even this is very clumsy and unconvincing. Too serious for a comedy and too dull for a drama, though some critics seemed to like it.