Really enjoyable romantic comedy set in London (I think Marylebone High street) about a small Cafe / Bakery. A great cast led by the always brilliant Celia Imrie makes you engage with the storyline. A feel good movie that left me with a smile on my face. I hope you like it.
45 Reviews
With all these Ingredients, it's a wonderful film!
WalkdenEntertainment14 June 2020
After a tragic event occurs to a young woman named Sarah, her daughter Clarissa (Shannon Tarbet) makes the decision to her complete her mother's long term dream of opening a bakery in London. But when it comes to owning a business or baking, Clarissa isn't able to do this task on her own. She seeks assistance and support from her Grandma, Mimi (Celia Imrie), and Sarah's best friend, Isabella (Shelley Conn). Together these three women begin to renovate an old shop and transform it into something beautiful, also employing a young chef to assist with the baking.
Love Sarah is a film that doesn't take long to introduce the story or the ladies. Some elements in the setup are more implied which I enjoyed, plus it means the plot gets underway immediately instead of making the story slow, depressing and oppressive.
Performances by the leading ladies are lovely (especially from Celia Imrie who I always have a soft spot for). All characters here have chemistry on-screen when they interact with each other. Each character also brings a different set of skills when it comes to running a bakery due to their personal experiences. The film also focuses on the expertise of different generations, which was a lovely touch too. To my surprise, this film isn't just a drama. There are other aspects to this film, including romance, comedy and even the ingredient of mystery which I also found pleasing.
Another element I wanted to share about is the film's beautiful music score which was composed by Enis Rotthoff. It's truly a perfect match for this film, and I found the music alone moving at times. The director should also be mentioned. Love Sarah was directed by Eliza Schroeder, and according to IMBD this film is her very first feature film. As a first time director for a feature film, the results here are impressive, and the director should be proud of what she has achieved. There is a genuine freshness to this story and film.
While I have plenty of praise for this film, I do have one major issue which was extremely unfortunate. While it wasn't a constant issue, there was more than once where the style of filming was disappointing. During crucial scenes, the camera moves around and feels unpolished when compared to the rest of the film. There was one scene in particular which I was shocked was left in the final version of the movie due to the way it was filmed.
Overall, like a freshly-baked cake, Love Sarah is refreshing and delightful. While the film is classed as a drama, it contains an incredibly heartfelt story with the added ingredients of both humour and mystery. Performances are also fantastic, and I felt the leading ladies had beautiful chemistry together. All these ingredients will make the movie lover crave another slice as the credits roll.
7.4/10 - Walkden Entertainment
Love Sarah is a film that doesn't take long to introduce the story or the ladies. Some elements in the setup are more implied which I enjoyed, plus it means the plot gets underway immediately instead of making the story slow, depressing and oppressive.
Performances by the leading ladies are lovely (especially from Celia Imrie who I always have a soft spot for). All characters here have chemistry on-screen when they interact with each other. Each character also brings a different set of skills when it comes to running a bakery due to their personal experiences. The film also focuses on the expertise of different generations, which was a lovely touch too. To my surprise, this film isn't just a drama. There are other aspects to this film, including romance, comedy and even the ingredient of mystery which I also found pleasing.
Another element I wanted to share about is the film's beautiful music score which was composed by Enis Rotthoff. It's truly a perfect match for this film, and I found the music alone moving at times. The director should also be mentioned. Love Sarah was directed by Eliza Schroeder, and according to IMBD this film is her very first feature film. As a first time director for a feature film, the results here are impressive, and the director should be proud of what she has achieved. There is a genuine freshness to this story and film.
While I have plenty of praise for this film, I do have one major issue which was extremely unfortunate. While it wasn't a constant issue, there was more than once where the style of filming was disappointing. During crucial scenes, the camera moves around and feels unpolished when compared to the rest of the film. There was one scene in particular which I was shocked was left in the final version of the movie due to the way it was filmed.
Overall, like a freshly-baked cake, Love Sarah is refreshing and delightful. While the film is classed as a drama, it contains an incredibly heartfelt story with the added ingredients of both humour and mystery. Performances are also fantastic, and I felt the leading ladies had beautiful chemistry together. All these ingredients will make the movie lover crave another slice as the credits roll.
7.4/10 - Walkden Entertainment
A Great Watch
latinbarbiewpbfl-591198 September 2020
The cakes and pastries had more substance than the script
tm-sheehan8 July 2020
I like to start with the positives about a film I review after all 6/10 is an average to good score from me . I'll begin with the delicious cakes and pastries that feature in the film and are provided by the bestselling food writer and restaurateur author and chef Yotam Ottolenghi especially the Matcha Mille crepe cake used in the plot.
I was amazed to read this very light weight script that took 3 people to write Eliza Schroeder (also director ) a mistake in my opinion as this is her first major film .Other writers were Mahalia Rimmer, and Jake Brunger who also wrote the screenplay.
The film is about a young woman who enlists the help of her mother's best friend and her eccentric estranged grandmother to fulfil her late mother's dream of opening a bakery in Notting Hill. It is now shooting in London.
The Director Elizabeth Schroeder said in an interview about the film "Having lost my mother whilst developing the film, my perspective on the outcome and the story I wanted to tell changed. Creating a story that was uplifting and touching whilst dealing with loss in my life became very important to me." and the film is dedicated to her late mother which is fitting. Luckily for Love Sarah, its cast abounds in talent and their chemistry is enjoyable to watch and easy to root for. The kind of feel good family drama Love Sarah wants to be is somewhere in this film, but hidden under layers of unnecessary character backstory and too many plot threads.
Celia Imrie as Mimi is delightful as the bittersweet Grandmother and the Supporting cast of Rupert Penry -Jones as Matthew in a relaxed romantic role of not much substance is also good. I also enjoyed Shelley Conn as Isabella and Shannon Tarbet as Clarissa the granddaughter. I was only talking about mediocre script writing recently and this film would fit in that category like a beautifully decorated that when tasted sometimes disappoints when tasted " Love Sarah " to my taste is just average.
I was amazed to read this very light weight script that took 3 people to write Eliza Schroeder (also director ) a mistake in my opinion as this is her first major film .Other writers were Mahalia Rimmer, and Jake Brunger who also wrote the screenplay.
The film is about a young woman who enlists the help of her mother's best friend and her eccentric estranged grandmother to fulfil her late mother's dream of opening a bakery in Notting Hill. It is now shooting in London.
The Director Elizabeth Schroeder said in an interview about the film "Having lost my mother whilst developing the film, my perspective on the outcome and the story I wanted to tell changed. Creating a story that was uplifting and touching whilst dealing with loss in my life became very important to me." and the film is dedicated to her late mother which is fitting. Luckily for Love Sarah, its cast abounds in talent and their chemistry is enjoyable to watch and easy to root for. The kind of feel good family drama Love Sarah wants to be is somewhere in this film, but hidden under layers of unnecessary character backstory and too many plot threads.
Celia Imrie as Mimi is delightful as the bittersweet Grandmother and the Supporting cast of Rupert Penry -Jones as Matthew in a relaxed romantic role of not much substance is also good. I also enjoyed Shelley Conn as Isabella and Shannon Tarbet as Clarissa the granddaughter. I was only talking about mediocre script writing recently and this film would fit in that category like a beautifully decorated that when tasted sometimes disappoints when tasted " Love Sarah " to my taste is just average.
A nice little watch
mark-0079010 July 2021
Judging from the other reviews, this movie seems to have divided opinions. From a purely technical point of view, in my opinion, the movie is very well made. A nice story, well structured screenplay, and good performances from a quite impressive cast. My guess is the themes explored around loss and grief may not be everyone's cup of tea but it really depends what you are looking for. Again though, I thought it was a nice little watch.
Pleasant enough
david_r_cox31 December 2020
Dissappointing
wcpom25 June 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Great cast, well filmed etc. But it really goes nowhere.
A group of women set out to do something, they do it, with very few challenges along the way, at least not any that are highlighted in any significant way.
Bill Patterson's role was very thin and it felt like scenes explaining how he became involved with Celia Imrie's Mimi had been cut, or maybe they were just never written.
It had the potential to be so much more.
A group of women set out to do something, they do it, with very few challenges along the way, at least not any that are highlighted in any significant way.
Bill Patterson's role was very thin and it felt like scenes explaining how he became involved with Celia Imrie's Mimi had been cut, or maybe they were just never written.
It had the potential to be so much more.
Guaranteed not to offend
jamesmoule2 July 2020
This is a "lovely" movie. Everyone is "nice". It is like the wonderful confections that are the centre of the story. I don't need to warn of spoilers in this review because there is nothing in the "plot" to give away. From the first ten minutes, the viewer can guess what is going to happen in the following hour, expecting a twist that never comes. This is so politically correct and sweet that it is frightening. Is this where movies are headed? Are we going to have (female) directors who have nothing to say and say it with a smile? There is no edge to this story.
My 5 stars goes entirely to the actors. As expected, Celia Imrie, Shelley Conn, Bill Paterson and Penry-Jones give thoroughly professional performances, almost as though someone is paying them. I can't imagine that any of them did this with a view to achieving social justice or changing the political landscape.
" ..... and they all lived happily ever after."
Predictable but lovely.
romanslynne13 July 2022
Sugar overload
kylie-suttor5 July 2020
If you enjoy movies that are telegraphed from every possible angle, this is the film for you. There is not a single surprise or twist to the story at any stage of the movie. The premise could have been interesting, but at every turn the bland and featureless dialog is like listening to a 'learn to speak english' audiobook. The chemistry between the characters was negligible, especially the two bakers who you could see flinch in their big kissing scene (which of course you could predict from the moment they met with absolutely no nuance). On top of all of the haphazard and predictable acting and script, the sets must have been made on a very limited budget, as the head female baker lived in a flat that looked like a bargain airbnb without any paintings or personal touches at all. The grandmother's home was quirky and well put-together and the only high point of the movie. The bakery shop set was contrived and a health inspector's worst nightmare with cakes displayed all around the shop without any covering and customers able to have a whole cake stand full of goodies on their table which they could eat as many cakes as they liked and then gave the stand back for other customers. It would have been so easy to have someone order a cake and coffee and have those on the table as per a real bakery cafe. As for the premise that London is a multicultural city and people from "diverse' backgrounds such as Indians wanting a taste of home not being able to get them is ridiculous and insulting. If I am missing bakery treats from my homeland the literally thousands of restaurants and cafes with legitimate cultural backgrounds would be the first stop. Eek! Can't believe I've written so much about such a lacklustre movie. The friend I went to see this movie with and I spent half of it making jokes and laughing about all the 'Captain obvious' lines. Stale and tasteless as a week old croissant.
Soothing after year of covid
nwauntie25 May 2021
To start, this movie was a very nice change after of all the bad that followed the world 2020 due to Covid. Although the story starts out very sad it turns into a very heart warming tale. If our movie theaters were open (they are not yet in the Pacific NW of USA) I would have gladly paid full price to go see it. There isn't much trivia about it here on IMBD but I wonder if it was written from the writers own personal experience, in relation to loss. At the end of the movie there was a "remembrance" of a person who passed, as well as the song at the end, about love, missing you, its all for you (or something like that)? Maybe I just noticed (or perceived that) because I have felt that tremendous loss after my son passed. Anyway, I found this to be a joyful, wonderful story of love, loss and resilience. Thumbs up to the writer, directorial staff and the actors and actresses!
Slowly becomes a parody of an actual movie
dave-248-10070130 April 2021
Starts off strong but then can't decide what it is, and quickly descends into Hallmark Movie of the Week but without the production values. There's no coherent plot. One of the side characters appears to have a point but then doesn't, epically. The romance is confusing and unnecessary. Celia Imrie and Bill Paterson are so much better than this.
Bake Me a Julekaka
drednm13 September 2020
Warning: Spoilers
British movie from a woman director about the bonding of three women when they open a pastry shop in Notting Hill which had been the planned project of dead Sarah. It's Lifetime movie posing as a feature film, devoid of any depth. A couple of subplots are thrown in but the director never scratches the surface of these women. Celia Imrie plays the well-to-do mother of Sarah. Imrie seems to have owned a circus but we never learn much of anything. The granddaughter (Shannon Tarbet) is a dancer. We know this because we see her strike a few poses in a dance class. Sarah's friend (Shelley Conn) is some sort of business executive who used to bake. Aside from this stirring stories, we get lost of close-ups of pies.
To add zest to the story (if not the pies) we get Bill Paterson as a neighboring inventor who sparks Imrie and Rupert Penry-Jones as an "old friend" of Sarah who may also be the granddaughter's father. He's not, so that subplot goes nowhere.
After the pie hole fails, we're told that London is the most multi-cultural city in the world, so the gals go out and get recipes for "foreign" food and all the immigrants (in Notting Hill) come flying to buy the goodies. Again, lots of close-ups of pastries but no information at all. In the end, it would have been more exciting to watch the dough rise for a Norwegian julekaka.
To add zest to the story (if not the pies) we get Bill Paterson as a neighboring inventor who sparks Imrie and Rupert Penry-Jones as an "old friend" of Sarah who may also be the granddaughter's father. He's not, so that subplot goes nowhere.
After the pie hole fails, we're told that London is the most multi-cultural city in the world, so the gals go out and get recipes for "foreign" food and all the immigrants (in Notting Hill) come flying to buy the goodies. Again, lots of close-ups of pastries but no information at all. In the end, it would have been more exciting to watch the dough rise for a Norwegian julekaka.
Missing something
dugongsZ13 September 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Lots of good actors in this and ticks along but story lacks details. And doesn't really arrive at the destination in one piece.
Big groan when it suddenly mid film heads to wokeville with the lead loudly advising the government are deporting the residents of notting hill with foreign heritage. Disturbing news.
Having a Michelin starred chef turn up wanting to work in your snooty Notting Hill Bakery is pretty good fortune but still possibly because of lack of advertising or any promotion beyond opening the door the business is failing. Its hugely overstaffed though and having the cakes spread around the shop cant help as sticky fingers poke and prod them.
Luckily they hit on baking cakes for the same residents being deported who despite them being chased down by government forces have plenty of spare cash to buy very elaborate and pricey looking Japanese crab cakes and Norwegian muffins etc. Really it seems very contrived and shame as could have been pleasant easy movie but loses its way.
Big groan when it suddenly mid film heads to wokeville with the lead loudly advising the government are deporting the residents of notting hill with foreign heritage. Disturbing news.
Having a Michelin starred chef turn up wanting to work in your snooty Notting Hill Bakery is pretty good fortune but still possibly because of lack of advertising or any promotion beyond opening the door the business is failing. Its hugely overstaffed though and having the cakes spread around the shop cant help as sticky fingers poke and prod them.
Luckily they hit on baking cakes for the same residents being deported who despite them being chased down by government forces have plenty of spare cash to buy very elaborate and pricey looking Japanese crab cakes and Norwegian muffins etc. Really it seems very contrived and shame as could have been pleasant easy movie but loses its way.
Predictable and lengthy
friedrich-schulungen9 May 2021
Heartfelt, Uplifting, Sincere Tale of Togetherness
dheerajakolkar31 August 2020
A delightful film in every aspect that lifts the mood and implores us to be less cynical. In these times and hereafter, more bridges have to be built and we have to look after each other and this film celebrates that to the hilt!
I was left with such a sweet, lingering feeling at the end that I felt grateful to the entire team for making it...It must have taken a great deal of conviction to do that.
Turning loss into something special and powerful takes tremendous amount of work. Loss pushes us to think of what really matters and we hopefully learn to value humanity, kindness and affection much more. That message truly comes across in this film.
All departments excel. Production Design and Cinematography as well as Music, Costumes and Sound Design offer a lovely view of London. The script helps us focus on the good in people and in that holds a mirror. An amazing achievement for the producers to have managed to film almost entirely on locations in Notting Hill and they succeed from start to finish. Remember, this is an independent film without any studio backing and it has superb production values!
Special mention to its director! It's her debut film!!!! It is extremely difficult to get a film made no matter who you are, and Eliza shines with her quiet grace, her personal sense of style and her determination to make a film of value. I am not surprised that the film has sold many worldwide territories already.
I read some unpleasant reviews on IMDb and I found them extremely counter-productive. There was no reason to be nasty and mannerless when personal disappointment could have been conveyed constructively.
In any case, I am sure this film will reach audiences across the world and in these dark times, give them a reason to smile...
I was left with such a sweet, lingering feeling at the end that I felt grateful to the entire team for making it...It must have taken a great deal of conviction to do that.
Turning loss into something special and powerful takes tremendous amount of work. Loss pushes us to think of what really matters and we hopefully learn to value humanity, kindness and affection much more. That message truly comes across in this film.
All departments excel. Production Design and Cinematography as well as Music, Costumes and Sound Design offer a lovely view of London. The script helps us focus on the good in people and in that holds a mirror. An amazing achievement for the producers to have managed to film almost entirely on locations in Notting Hill and they succeed from start to finish. Remember, this is an independent film without any studio backing and it has superb production values!
Special mention to its director! It's her debut film!!!! It is extremely difficult to get a film made no matter who you are, and Eliza shines with her quiet grace, her personal sense of style and her determination to make a film of value. I am not surprised that the film has sold many worldwide territories already.
I read some unpleasant reviews on IMDb and I found them extremely counter-productive. There was no reason to be nasty and mannerless when personal disappointment could have been conveyed constructively.
In any case, I am sure this film will reach audiences across the world and in these dark times, give them a reason to smile...
All the right ingredients...yet so bland
Joe-Sydney4 April 2021
The cast, the setting, the potential, it had it all; but (yes, there is a but) the mix turned out quite poor lacking in any substance, depth or real flavour for a light comedy. Subplots lacking relevance, character histories not making sense, and a story line that failed the most basic of formulas. We watched this with hope, expecting it to all come together just a bit later, but...
....if you are going to do the laundry, house chores or file your nails, then leave it on in the background, just don't have any expectations. I've read positive reviews on here and can normally understand why some movies are enjoyed by certain people and not others. This one I/we don't.
....if you are going to do the laundry, house chores or file your nails, then leave it on in the background, just don't have any expectations. I've read positive reviews on here and can normally understand why some movies are enjoyed by certain people and not others. This one I/we don't.
couldnt wait to leave cinema
beingmaggie17 July 2020
Had to watch as took mum in law, but if i was on my own or partner i would of been outta there so fast. after 10 min I thought what is making this so awful and came to the conclusion a big part was the direction someone didnt have a clue what they were doing certainly didnt know how to direct the talent. long pauses ,slow, rubbish mills and boon script . so much wrong with this really the brits need to take a hard long look at what they are doing. I have decided I wont be going to another lame,corny british film I can stream top quality european movies why on earth would i watch british tat
Boring, bland and no depth
colingingell29 October 2020
Riddled with cliche, but still charming
ayoreinf27 January 2022
No role here is an original, no conflict in this movie is a novelty. But all the leads do their job so very well, topped by Celia Imrie, who's as charming as ever, and still does the best naughty sparkle in the eyes I've seen. And I've come to realize that that's what really important - if the actors do their job well and one learn to care for the characters they portray - the movie will work. It may not be a masterpiece, it doesn't pretend it is - a line I used before because I don't mind whether it's a masterpiece or not, I want to see a story about characters I care for.
And one more point I've made before - it's not really a comedy - it's a life story and like most life stories it does have funny moments. Funny moment don't mean one is watching a comedy and "comedy drama" - the IMDb classification term - is as far as I'm concerned - a non term. I've watched many so called "comedy dramas" non of them was really a comedy. A few funny moments means you have a writer with a sense of humor, that's good, a sense of humor is an important ingredient of our lives - it doesn't make our lives a comedy it just makes our lives more real and relatable.
And one more point I've made before - it's not really a comedy - it's a life story and like most life stories it does have funny moments. Funny moment don't mean one is watching a comedy and "comedy drama" - the IMDb classification term - is as far as I'm concerned - a non term. I've watched many so called "comedy dramas" non of them was really a comedy. A few funny moments means you have a writer with a sense of humor, that's good, a sense of humor is an important ingredient of our lives - it doesn't make our lives a comedy it just makes our lives more real and relatable.
Celia Imrie is wasted on this
uldale18 March 2023
It's no wonder the publicists put Celia Imrie front and centre on the posters and thumbnails for this one, because she is, literally, all it's got going for it. (With the possible exception of the sets/locations - which are tastefully low-key.)
Celia Imrie plays a slightly frail-looking grandmother who used to be a trapeze artist. I've rarely seen her in anything but comedy, but she brings immense acting skills to this part. He facial expressions and body language tell a story all their own and give her character immense depth. She is even given some decent lines, which she delivers with great feel and timing.
Unfortunately, Imrie's character seems to have wandered into some kind of Hallmark film, set in London's fair city where the girls are so pretty (and the men all look like catalogue models and just as wooden). Pretty little people walking around saying their lines, and like me, wondering what the hell the scene is about, or whether the film will ever develop an actual plot. Admittedly, I didn't make it all the way to the end, but I was a long way in when I finally gave up.
Celia Imrie plays a slightly frail-looking grandmother who used to be a trapeze artist. I've rarely seen her in anything but comedy, but she brings immense acting skills to this part. He facial expressions and body language tell a story all their own and give her character immense depth. She is even given some decent lines, which she delivers with great feel and timing.
Unfortunately, Imrie's character seems to have wandered into some kind of Hallmark film, set in London's fair city where the girls are so pretty (and the men all look like catalogue models and just as wooden). Pretty little people walking around saying their lines, and like me, wondering what the hell the scene is about, or whether the film will ever develop an actual plot. Admittedly, I didn't make it all the way to the end, but I was a long way in when I finally gave up.
No context, no continuity, no character development
henkat-1449619 March 2023
Watching this was like walking into the middle of a conversation- but a senseless one. I was hopeful at the very beginning, but then it just scattered like someone dropped a jar full of change and tried to make small talk as they picked it up. The viewer is never really told the background of the characters; just bit by bit you learn snippets of unimportant details that don't really connect into a viable character background. Clarissa acts like she barely knows her grandmother, where is the funeral or mourning or mention that Sarah is dead? Sarah is riding her bike, and then we see Isabella in a meeting with her accountant? Hah? Clarissa is in dance class, and then suddenly leaves, but no close up of her facial expression to indicate why?
And the bakery??? One big table in the middle? No glass encased shelves? Just bright colored cakes- no croissants, muffins, or bagels?
And the trapeze scene? Oh yeah, everyone just pops into a gym and jumps on a trapeze these days??? Bizarre.
A mess of a movie with no depth of character, plot or conflict to keep you guessing or peak your interest. 25 minutes was all I could stand.
And the bakery??? One big table in the middle? No glass encased shelves? Just bright colored cakes- no croissants, muffins, or bagels?
And the trapeze scene? Oh yeah, everyone just pops into a gym and jumps on a trapeze these days??? Bizarre.
A mess of a movie with no depth of character, plot or conflict to keep you guessing or peak your interest. 25 minutes was all I could stand.
Starts nowhere and sloooowly goes there
pilot100929 November 2020
Pretentious and pointless movies with little to say and takes a long time saying it. It isn't romantic and there is not much in the way of laughs or comedy. It is just a meandering mess with little entertainment value and the acting isn't that great either though with the story and script given to them I would forgive the cast for that.
Feel good film!
kate202112 February 2021
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