School For Seduction (DVD)

Hey there, I'm writing this review because I've seen this film a few times on the TV and I'm currently watching it again as I'm writing this because I saw that it didn't have a review yet. Shame really, because it's actually a pretty good film.

I originally saw this on the TV and enjoyed it so much, I bought the DVD. The packaging caught my eye in the shop, and it wasn't until I picked it up that I realised what it was and bought it. ...
...It would be difficult not to be drawn to this as you walk past it. At first, on first glance, I assumed it was a horror because of it's deep red cover but with a name like "School for Seduction" it could easily have been misinterpreted.

I've seen a few films starring the ever so beautiful Kelly Brook, and I haven't had a very high opinion of them. Everyone I've seen, she has got her boobs out or her acting was appalling. ... more

Hey there, I'm writing this review because I've seen this film a few times on the TV and I'm currently watching it again as I'm writing this because I saw that it didn't have a review yet. Shame really, because it's actually a pretty good film.

I originally saw this on the TV and enjoyed it so much, I bought the DVD. The packaging caught my eye in the shop, and it wasn't until I picked it up that I realised what it was and bought it. The cover is a beautiful blood red colour, very eye-catching. It would be difficult not to be drawn to this as you walk past it. At first, on first glance, I assumed it was a horror because of it's deep red cover but with a name like "School for Seduction" it could easily have been misinterpreted.

I've seen a few films starring the ever so beautiful Kelly Brook, and I haven't had a very high opinion of them. Everyone I've seen, she has got her boobs out or her acting was appalling. Considering this is apparently the first film she starred in, her acting has gone down considerably since! Some films you may have heard of starring her, (which I didn't rate too highly) are: "Three", "House Of 9", "Deuce Bigalo: European Gigalo", "The Italian Job" and "In The Mood"
She also presented "The Big Breakfast" 1999-2000.

I'll give you a basic idea of the story line, obviously without trying to give too much away -

Kelly Brook plays Sophia Rosselini, and you watch this character develop as she runs away from Naples from her husband, Giovanni (played by Jake Canuso) As far as the viewer can gather, this man is a pretty evil guy, basically owning Sophia and treating her as nothing more than an object.
Anyway, she runs away to Newcastle-upon-Tyne, where she opens up "Academy of Seductive Arts" She sets herself on the task of treating the slightly dishevelled, working-class women how to behave like a seductive, confident lady. This class attracts all walks of life, including a man, desperate to improve his female impersonation act.
There's Kelly, played by Emily Woof, ("The Full Monty") She plays a single Mother, working in a supermarket. You watch her yearn for the newly-open managerial position and her struggle to compete with sexual discrimination, and general bullying from her boss, who has a bee in his bonnet because she won't date him.
Then there's Clare, played by Dervla Kirawn, ("December Bride") She is married, with no children, and her husband is seriously obsessed with his car - The Alfa Romeo Spider. She works hard at her job, and he blames her job for taking her away from him. She tries to re-kindle the passion in her marriage, all brought along by the seduction classes she is begrudgingly pulled along too.
Irene, Margi Clarke, is also trying to re-kindle the passion in her decades-long marriage to Derek (played by Tim Healy - "Serendipity")
Donna, Jessica Johnson, is a young, single girl, working, also in the supermarket and you follow her struggle to find the something she is so desperatly hoping for. Unfortunately, she can't work out what that something is!

They all join these classes in the hope they can better themselves and feel beautiful within themselves again because the men in (or not in) their lives seem unable to do so.
Sophia guides the ladies (and man!) in an amazing transformation, making them the women they should be, but can't find in themselves to find. However, you learn that she is keeping a huge secret, one that she is desperate the other girls won't find out. But, like in all good films, the secret comes out and it is........... You didn't seriously think I'd blab and ruin it for the rest of you, did you? Ha ha!

This film portrays feminism. However, it is done in a way that doesn't offend men! It is really funny. You can't help but cry, laugh, scream and shout along with these women. The acting helps as well. Each character is played by, I think, the perfect person for the job. Each actress brings their own traits to the part, making the characters seem so real. You can relate to all of them ,we've all been in at least one of the situations at least once! And some of them were simply hilarious. It had me doubled up in stitches. Then it had me reaching for the tissues and sobbing into my cushion! At times, it seems so gut-wrenchingly sad, it's hard to believe it's a comedy.
These characters are in real-life situations, it's hard to think of them as not real. Whether it be the break-down of a marriage, the ups and downs of being single and trying to find the right mate, or just sheer boredom in the life and relationship that you are in, we've all been in these situations or have experienced them in one way or another in our lifetime.

As with all good films, the twist is so unpredictable, in the sense that you know it is coming, but you aren't overly sure what it is. It's obvious something is going to happen, it's just difficult to say what, and when it does happen, you kick yourself in the teeth for not realising sooner!

Kelly Brook plays this part so spectacularly, it's hard to picture her as anything but an Italian seductress. Her voice, movements, body language, all seemed to be made for this part. Her performance is so full of emotion, it is hard not to get wrapped up in the story line and your heart genuinely does go out to her nearer the end when everything goes pear-shaped. You also want to hit the television every time Giovanni, her on-screen husband enters the scene!

I can't rate this film highly enough! I think the actresses and actors were made for their parts in this film! And I hope this encourages you to go out and buy this, or at least watch it next time it comes on TV!

The storyline is fantastic, the directing was fantastic, the performances were fantastic, even the music in the film seemed to fit the film perfectly!

This film is for people who enjoyed the likes of "The Full Monty" and other hilarious, yet meaningful chick-flicks. (I hate calling them that) It even kept my Hubbie entertained, but I think he was just waiting for Kelly Brook to get her baps out! She doesn't, by the way, and she really doesn't have to!

I bought this recently and it was priced at 6.00 GBP. It has an age rating of 12, but I don't think there is that much in it to be worth a 12! It does contain one moderate sexual scene. The main stars are Kelly Brook, Damon Britton, Margi Clarke, Tim Healy and Dervla Kirwan. It runs for 100 minutes, and I was disappointed that it ended! It was released in 2004. It was written by Sue Hell and Martin Herron and was directed by Sue Heel.

Give this one a try, and let me know what you think!!!

Thanks for reading! xxx  

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