My kind of film.

Rating: Null/10 (27 November 1999)

Say what you like about Tom Hanks, but at least he didn't use his clout in Hollywood to write, direct and act in something overwhelmingly pretentious. That's just one of the many points in the film's favour - others include its infectious good nature and its appealing characters (when the title song by the Wonders is played on the radio for the first time you're as excited as the characters are). It doesn't overstay its welcome, and the only problem is that the ending is a bit abrupt. But it's so darn agreeable and fun that it doesn't matter. As a lifelong Gerry Anderson fan I was thrilled to see a TV screen showing his series "Fireball XL5," I love TV theme songs (and the fictional one for "Mr. Downtown" is a cracker), and I seem to have a soft spot for anything with Liv Tyler (so I guess I'd like "Stealing Beauty" then). Loved it.