Tomorrow La Scala!

A pleasant and smart comedy that relies on the typical advantages of British cinema, namely a certain soberness, rather dry British humor, quality acting performances, and original ideas. Especially in the first half, I even considered giving it five stars a few times. Although the dialogues are not overflowing with catchphrases and the individual scenes are not full of crazy gags, the absurdity of what is seen reliably brings a smile to one's face, as prisoners in a strictly guarded prison, all of them convicted for the worst crimes, namely murders, rehearse an opera performance about a serial killer with an ambitious theater group. Unfortunately, especially in the second half, the script slides from humorous exaggeration to sentimentality, especially in the banquet scene, where the air simply shimmers with mutual understanding, friendship, and love, where a little healthy cynicism wouldn't hurt. Of course, the whole scenario is unrealistic, as it would be difficult for, let's say, the head guard to rehearse a performance with his inmates without losing all authority and distance. Overall impression: 75%. (13/08/2009)