Having seen this made for TV movie twice now, I can say that if all you're looking for is a bit of romantic escapism, with some humour thrown in, then this is the film for you.
(Not sure this is a spoiler as such, but better to be safe) it's actually quite funny in places, especially the way Jo and Olivia argue so much rather than admit they both still care. The way Joe goes about trying to obtain his revenge also raises a smile, as who of us haven't wanted to get revenge on an ex who dumped us?
All in all I think this film is worthy of an 8 mainly for the two main leads of James Purefoy and Geraldine Somerville as Jo and Olivia, they really made their characters believable - even if I did want to punch them both for being so pig-headedly stupid (though mainly Olivia). However, Patricia Hodge and Benjamin Whitrow are also brilliant as the long suffering parents of Olivia and Jo respectively.
The scenes that made the film for me was the pet tent at the village fête - won't say more but God did I laugh, and James Purefoy in the opening credits; the man should get a medal not only for the singing, but the suit itself.......something a corpse would only wear for a bet,even back in the 80's.
The only jarring characters I felt were Olivia's friend Lucy and Jo's friend Mick. Their sub-plot was nothing but annoying; there is no real resolution to it, so you do wonder why the writers bothered with it. There was enough going on with the main storyline and other sub-plot that it could easily have been left out without being missed.
A film for all of us that have made fools of ourselves for love only to lose the object of our affection; and a feel good movie for a wet winter's night in front of a warm TV - especially if you're recently dumped and planning revenge!
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