What We Did on Our Holiday

Rosamund Pike gets to be her British self in this slightly off-kilter family comedy. She plays Abi, mother of three and married to messed-up Doug (David Tennant). They're heading out with the children to visit Doug's dying father, Gordie (Billy Connolly) on his birthday and, due to an affair Doug had, they are on their way to a divorce. Pike and Tennant are good and funny here, convincingly playing a couple that has just about had it. Connolly is excellent as the ornery grandfather who, despite being ill, sparks up his wit when the grandkids are around. As for the kids, they are the best reason to see the movie. Lottie (Emilia Jones), Mickey (Bobby Smalldridge) and Jess (Harriet Turnbull) have terrific, droll reactions to their parents' childish behavior, and their solution to a problem on the beach is quite unorthodox. Turnbull is especially funny as the youngest. She talks to rocks and never misses a chance to be a little wiseass. The script by directors Andy Hamilton and Guy Jenkin is predictable, but you'll forgive that. The cast makes this movie very much worthwhile, and those kids nearly steal the show. (Available for rent on iTunes, On Demand and Amazon.com during a limited theatrical release.)