An American widow finds unexpected love with a man living wild on Hampstead Heath when they take on the developers who want to destroy his home. Hampstead is a film with heart and has 2 great and terrific perfomances from Diane Keaton and Brendan Gleeson. The film is simple and even tho it's romantic it has some great and dramatic scenes that definitely had an impact on me and i honestly would suggest it to audiences who want to see something different and simple. (A+)

"Do you drink too much all the time? No, only when I drink."You're lying relaxed on your sofa on a Saturday night and you don't have the energy to do something useful? Well, that will certainly not change after watching this romantic comedy which takes place in the vicinity of Hampstead Heath. The whole film proceeds at a leisurely pace and tells about the strange relationship between Emily (Diane Keaton) and Donald (Brendan Gleeson). Emily is a middle-aged widow living in a respectable appartment opposite Hampstead park. Donald is a wayward tramp living in a little self-build shack in that same park, growing his own potatoes and carrots and fishing for lunch in the local pond. The two relate to eachother as yin and yang. Emily is having money troubles after the death of her husband, who left her a mountain of debt. She works voluntarily in an Oxfam clothing store and is reasonably socially engaged. Donald, on the other hand, never worries about money and wants everyone to leave him alone. In his eyes, the rest of the community consists of money-minded egocentric know-it-alls who do not understand and appreciate his wilful lifestyle.The advantage of films such as "Hampstead", is that you won't be flabbergasted by it. You get a warm and blissful feeling from it and your brain cells are spared an exhausting effort. My philosophizing about "being amazed while watching a movie" (read my review about "Paddington 2" once again) isn't applicable to this film, because there's really nothing to be surprised about. The choice of its title is quite obvious. And when Emily looks unconsciously with binoculars through the attic window and thus discovers the bare belly of a bathing Donald, you immediately know what the tree-hugging activist is planning to do. What follows is a succession of endearing conversations and predictable misunderstandings. Fortunately, it doesn't lapse into romantic excesses and we are simply witnessing a burgeoning friendship between two individuals who have their own personal problems. One person fails to make ends meet financially and her gossiping high-society neighbor tries to link her to an accountant. The other is urged to leave his premises or he'll be expecting some legal proceedings. Well, it's clear from the beginning how this will resolve itself.I really enjoy the acting of Diane Keaton. In every film she's the personification of a very cozy, hugely affectionate and huggable elderly lady. Such a granny who looks immensely friendly, helpful and old-fashioned. And on that level, she's of course the correct choice to play the character Emily in this not so surprising film. Because to be honest, it seems as if Diane Keaton always plays the same movie character. I'm sure Diane Keaton is a similar person in real life and thus plays herself all the time. Brendan Gleeson, on the other hand, was a joy to watch. A bearded garden gnome who's sometimes a real old grumbler but next shows he also owns a caring heart. Even though they look like an odd couple and it feels as if they don't really belong together, I can understand that someone like Emily can succumb to the sometimes hidden charms of Donald.Apparently the story is based on true facts but some things are a bit romanticized and made up. The whole thing reminded me of "5 Flights up" where Diane Keaton also had a real estate problem together with Morgan Freeman. "Hampstead" is like some household tasks. You do not necessarily have to do them, but if you can bring yourself to carry them out, it won't hurt either. So it's not required to watch this average, easy-going romantic comedy. But if you do, it won't seem as if you've ruined your precious time.More reviews here : movie-freak.be

sometimes you get sick of beat em ups..shoot em ups and gang/drug movies !...this is a easy watch movie perfect for snuggling up warm n cozy with a loved one. it doesn't tax the brain or keep your mind rolling afterwards when trying to sleep !... the plot is good and the acting is very good. its well worth a look on a cold/wet wintry evening. you could do a lot worse ...like watching more dull reality bore shows !

Give this film a miss - unless you like (what my wife calls "Chick-Flicks for Grown-Ups". What a load of sugary-sweet nonsense and a waste of time. All of the actors are far better than their characters allowed them to be - with such a weak script and such a predictable plot, this 90 minute film was about 85 minutes too long. The only saving grace, perhaps, was the appearance of Hampstead Heath and the surrounding are which is fast becoming the most frequently filmed location.