The Bill Nighy role was clearly meant for someone with 2 essential qualities: charisma and speed. His delivery was so slow that it was painful at times. The so called love affair was unbelievable and dull. Change the speed of delivery and the central actors and you may have a half decent film.

Then there is the problem with the script. It is a lovey's view of the world's problems. Treacle and syrup driven home with a mallet just in case you didn't get it the tenth time.

Ugh!!!!

Finally, why do I have to give it any stars?

I feel cheated, betrayed and abused.
Review date: 2006-01-11 Rating: 2 out of 10

It felt like this was two films stuck together. The first is a beautiful funny love story between two lonely people who one would think would have nothing in common. The awkwardness of their interaction remains delightful. I enjoyed the story line even if the whole premise seems very far fetched. That is, a beautiful innocent naive 20 something girl falling for a stuffy 50 something civil servant. The civil servant’s colleagues also are far too “nice” to be believable. Nevertheless, the film draws you in to the characters and you so much wish for this relationship to blossom. Then, somewhere between London and Reykjavik the second film takes over. What we have is a crude piece of propaganda on behalf of the “Aid for Africa” campaign. The speech near the end is so contrived and artificial. The rest of the film continues until the end in this vain. The last 15 minutes are just so cringingly bad it becomes uncomfortable to watch. I feel cheated, betrayed and abused. That was I suppose the intension of the producers all along, to shock you. However, the political message is crude and embarrassing such as the old mantra of the left that the United States are the source of all evil in this world. The film ultimately exposes the best and worst sides of the BBC. 4 stars for the first half. Minus 3 for the second half. Total = 1 star.

Well intentioned, but uneven.
Review date: 2005-08-05 Rating: 6 out of 10

Richard Curtis is a great writer, and his magic can be seen and felt in this sincere little love story. Bill Nighy and Kelly MacDonald are touching, funny and have great chemistry, but every time this delightful love story starts blossoming, the characters start talking like they are in a Stop Poverty Now campaign ad. Yes, all those numbers and facts are true and people need to know them, and the world must act - however, the way they are hammered into this story is lazy, forced and sometimes ruins the wonderful and funny Curtis-esque poetry. Curtis is not only a wonderful writer (and director - "Love Actually" is an amazing film) but a very dedicated charity supporter, and we can see that "The Girl in the Cafe" has a noble purpose. Its love story and political comment sides could just be more balanced. However, when it's good, it's vintage Curtis!

Facts about films playing in Iceland
Review date: 2005-07-27 Rating: 10 out of 10

A romantic TV film with a political background. Ouch. And Richard Curtis is doing all those Hugh Grant in always the same kinda role films... What a difference Bill Nighy made! The kind of character was a typical Richard Curtis centre of the story character, but when Hugh Grant TRIES, Bill Nighy IS, and you absolutely believe what he's like on screen. Shy, awkward, polite, one can't help but falling in love with his character again and again. So is Kelly MacDonald (and I'm sure some male viewers felt the same way about her), both actors portraying people with a real twist. The chemistry is more than forcing, the both of them couldn't have been casted any better.

The story is a very quiet one. Slow, poetical, makes you smile from time to time, not only because laughing would disturb the mood (though the „disgusting pea soup" was ace!). The fact that it'll leave you breathless is not because it's so exciting, but you'll fear to ruin something when breathing too loudly. All in all it's one of the most tender and beautiful love stories of our time.

The political part? A fairy tale. A story one wishes to be true. Negative people might call it unrealistic and ridiculous, but this film is a dream, so that's alright. Still it's fiction and not a documentary. But it'll make you think for sure. And that's more than you can say about some ‚''political'' films.

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