Perfectly adorable

I cannot think of one single thing that I would change about this film. The acting is incomparable, the directing deft, and the writing poignantly brilliant.

While it doesn't offer any answers, it both thrills and makes you think.

A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.

I had high hopes of this film from the blurb, as a food-themed film that would be suitable for a family audience. Although Christopher Lee and Sam West do their best, director Justin Hardy doesn't seem to know what he wants the film to be. Robert Hardy (any relation?) gives his usual lovable headmaster, and Lisa Faulkner is a convincing repressed daughter. Carol MacCready is a Mrs Bumble of a matron Any non-sporting person will sympathise with the cross country torment. But overall the film is dated and confused, a waste of good acting talent and a potentially delightful story. The start is so slow that younger audiences would not wait for the amusing action to happen. And Edward Fox's cameo role, charming though it is, adds nothing to the story. I wonder what was left on the cutting room floor.

As good as A Christmas Story without the BB gun and all that snow. As good as Chocolat without the tooth ache. As good as Hear My Song without the Blarney. This is a great family movie, touching,well acted and great cast. 2 plums on thumbs up.

This movie is absolutely delicious, as light as one of Magnus' (the main character's) own confections. Nevertheless it has held my interest through many viewings and even brought me to tears near the end, every single time.Not only is the acting of brilliant veterans Robert Hardy, Christopher Lee, Carol MacReady, and Edward Fox as perfect as you would expect, but the children put in brilliant, subtle performances as well, with Freddie Findlay showing true star promise. The lush Dover location and surprisingly poignant music also add dimensions of richness to a very simple, honest story.The focal characters are realistically bad and good boys -- realistic because often the same boys are both bad and good under believable circumstances -- who learn about the real meaning of friendship, teamwork, and even honor through, well, cooking. Do have fattening and decadent snacks on hand when you watch, because what the boys whip up will certainly make you hungry.Incidentally, this film also managed to charm my boyfriend and to hold his interest throughout, and since this is such a tiny little dessert of a film, and since said boyfriend generally goes for the gamut of action flicks from Jackie Chan to Akira Kurosawa, or 2-hour Chow Yun-Fat/John Woo bloodbaths, this is really saying something. Because of the way the film gets right into the world of children, while not abandoning entirely the world and motivations of adults, I would also certainly recommend it for children age 8 or 10 and up; but there are still enough jokes and subtleties for grown-ups only that it won't bore parents.

A cute and not too taxing film about the nature and importance of friendship. One wonderful moment involves a re-enactment of the "raptors invade the kitchen" scene from Jurassic Park. Would recommend for children between the ages of 8 and 10 and for adults who are in the mood for a light snack.