Almost Heaven

Almost Heaven casts Donal Logue as Mark Brady, an alcoholic Canadian director who receives a shot at redemption after he’s hired to helm a low-rated fishing program in Scotland. There, Mark must contend with a village full of quirky figures (including a wise yet perpetually drunk bartender, played by Tom Conti) – as well as with the presence of his bitter ex-wife, who just happens to be the series’ star. While there are admittedly few plot points within Almost Heaven that even the most dimwitted viewer won’t see coming, the film nevertheless establishes itself as an exceedingly pleasant effort that benefits from the downright charming romantic subplot that forms between Mark and a scrappy local fisherwoman (Kirsty Mitchell’s Nicki). Logue’s effortlessly compelling performance certainly goes a long way towards smoothing over some of the more overtly rough edges within Richard Beattie and Shel Piercy’s screenplay, while the supporting cast assuredly cements the film’s laid-back, easy-going vibe (there’s little doubt that Erin Karpluk, playing an earnest crew member, provides the movie’s biggest laugh). The increasingly sappy third act, which does possess a fake break-up, not surprisingly, isn’t even remotely as intolerable as one might’ve feared, and there’s ultimately no denying the effectiveness of the film’s uplifting, flat-out affecting finale. It’s that kind of unapologetic sweetness that assures Almost Heaven‘s success, although it’s subsequently not difficult to envision certain viewers rolling their eyes at the movie’s rampant sentimentality.

*** out of ****