274. Love Sarah; movie review

LOVE SARAH
Cert PG
98 mins
BBFC advice: Contains infrequent strong language, moderate sex references, brief drug misuse

"I can't replace Sarah, she was trained at Ottolenghi!"
Mrs W and I have heard that name many times over the past 15 years because one of our friends got a job with the celebrity chef and is now on the board of his company.
Thus, I was keen to find out the connection between this comedy-drama and the name which was dropped so freely.
It turns out that Ottolenghi chefs provided the dazzling array of cakes and pastries which lifted this Notting Hill-wannabe.
Unfortunately, I couldn't eat them instead of watching Eliza Schroeder's picture.
Love Sarah relates to a chef who has died in an accident on the way to completing a deal for a bakery on the Portobello Road.
Her business partner (Shelley Conn) is bereft and her estranged mother (Celia Imrie) is haunted by regrets over a row which lasted too long.
The bakery project appears to be toast until Sarah's daughter (Shannon Tarbet) puts her dancing career on hold and persuades them to see it rise once more
Oh, and what would a Notting Hill chick flick be without a bit of male eye-candy, so Sarah's former love (Rupert Penry-Jones) signs up too.
In other words, three people give up impressive careers and a granny emerges out of retirement to sell some fancy cakes.
And that's it. Inevitably, there are misunderstandings and initial failures but there is always a feeling that love will win the day.
I am afraid it is corny rather than funny and desperately predictable.
Sure, Love Sarah is easy on the eye but that isn't enough to sustain a cupcake never mind a feature film.

Reasons to watch: Easygoing comedy
Reasons to avoid: Predictable and unfunny

Laughs: A couple of chuckles
Jumps: None
Vomit: None
Nudity: None
Overall rating: 4.5/10

Did you know? If Gregg's and Happy Donuts are included, there are seven bakeries on Portobello Road.

The final word. Eliza Schroeder: "I’m always excited to wander around wherever I live and check out all the local bakeries. I’ve always enjoyed baking, too. I come from a large family — there were six of us at home — and one of my sisters was always baking, so it has always been a passion of mine." The Digital Fix

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