The little movies that matter

”We have a pair of unfortunate situations here. A man who has nothing in his life except his work, that is unfortunate. And then by a stroke of bizarre chance, he finds someone who makes that not true for a day or two. But then, suddenly, it seems as though the price that has to be paid for that ray of light is some kind of... disgrace. It doesn't seem quite fair.”

I wanted to write a review of “The Girl in the Café” but it seems that in doing so, I will give far too much away. If you decide, out of curiosity, to rent this movie you will be rewarded. If I were to write a full review it would rob you of the chance of discovering this beautiful and funny story, from writer Richard Curtis , as it unfolds.
This romantic comedy unfolds with ease into a political drama. Lawrence ( a hysterically reserved, and awkward Bill Nighy ), a spindly, self-effacing civil servant, is a senior researcher for the Chancellor of the Exchequer, preparing for a G-8 summit that will determine the scope of the world's effort to reduce extreme poverty. In a crowded café, he chats awkwardly with Gina (The luminous and amazing Kelly MacDonald ), a young Scot with time on her hands.
They share a couple of meals, and he invites her to accompany him to the summit in Reykjavík. Once there, as romance blooms, Gina's past, Lawrence's work and proclivity to compromise, and the presence of ministers and presidents spur her to act.
Kelly MacDonald has been around forever. From her debut as the spunky school girl who seduces Ewan McGregor in “ Trainspotting ” to her lead role as the new maid to Maggie Smith in Robert Alman’s upstairs downstairs comedy “ Gosford Park ”.
She is one of those actresses that can easily fade into the background as she is so unassuming. In ‘The Girl in the Café” she uses ability so that when she takes action, it is all the more powerful. I hope her Emmy win for this will lead to a lot more work for her as I think she has real staying power in this industry.