'Common People' is an ensemble movie about a group of everyday Londoners whose lives intertwine in a south London park. It's got some of the feel of Eric Rohmer, being largely character based, but it also has the canny Richard Curtis knack of tapping into universal themes of love, belonging and shared common experience. I think the filmmakers really pull off something unique. It feels like they made a movie about something they genuinely cared about and the resulting film is full of charm, funny, heart-warming, optimistic - I can see why it was so popular with audiences. It celebrates something we all aspire to - to get along together, and appeals to our better nature, which I think is something to be applauded in the often cynical world we live in today. They definitely captured something authentic and genuine about what it's like to live in London today.

Shot entirely on one South London Common,this film celebrates the diversity of "ordinary" people in an "ordinary" location.Stories expected and startling,brought to the screen by some beautifully crafted and often understated performances.You may never look at a park bench in quite the same way again.... When I booked my ticket to see the film at Clapham Picture House and realised it was 90 minutes long,I did wonder if there might be some boring bits.Not the case as the action is perfectly measured and moves around the Common.Judging from the reactions around me,it was great to recognise favourite spots too! Go while you can,I am planning a second visit.Stay if you can for the Q & A session for more insight on the making of this great film.

Wasn't sure what to expect, but very pleasantly surprised. Although shot entirely in our locality, it has resonance for any people, anywhere. A simple plot-line but with many twists and a few surprises. We were pleased to see the inclusiveness of different races, gender, ages,religions and social classes. There was a deft use of humour in the way all these facets of life were interwoven and it even managed to stay the right side of political correctness without being bland. Both myself and my wife were very impressed by how it all came together it all came together towards the end, and not unemotional either!! Well done - a great film on a small budget.

A reminder that you don't need big budgets, special effects and Oscars to have a truly fabulous film.Funny, silly, and touching in equal measure this is one of those films where you just don't know why you like it, but you do. The characters are plausible and likable, the story lines veer from the ridiculous to the heart wrenchingly plausible and the simplicity allows the focus to remain on the hub of the plot, the inter relationship of normal people, warts and all. It isn't always pretty, it isn't always kind but it is unavoidably real. Its life.A film that you leave feeling content and happy, proud to be not just a Tootonian, not just a Londoner, but a human being.A triumph.