Playing the Moldovans at Tennis

Having loved the original book I finally got round to seeing the film version recently on DVD and thoroughly enjoyed it. It is as you would expect from Tony Hawks, a whimsical and gentle light comedy but with a very moving heart as it introduces us to the reality of life in a post-communist third world country in a forgotten part of Europe.

There are some nice cameos from Angus Deayton, Laura Solon and Morwenna Banks and Steve Frost is an excellent choice as the Arthur Smith character.

Tony is an OK actor - he's never likely to win an Oscar - but his tennis skills and the fact that we know he actually did everything in the film make it very believable.

It is fascinating to see glimpses of life in Moldova and it is the local cast who are the true stars of the film, in particular the outstanding Anatol Durbala who plays Iulian the translator.

Overall a good and unusual watch and one I'd recommend.