Product Description
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The Optimists tells the story of Sam, a street performer with a
unique outlook on life. Sam befriends two children who have led
hard knock- lives and teaches them to look at life from a new
perspective. The novelty of having a song and dance man as a
friend soon turns into something much deeper, as Sam realizes
that the children have just as much to teach him about life. Set
amongst a wonderful London backdrop, Peter Sellers stars in one
of his most charming and tender roles ever in The Optimists.
Review
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Peter Sellers was, and remains, one of Britain's finest comedic
geniuses, a member of the legendary Goons (a famous forerunner to
Monty Python) and noted character chameleon, able to slip
effortlessly into every one of his frequently farcical roles. But
what many people fail to recognize is that with said reputation
comes an oft-forgotten facet: Sellers was a sensational actor.
Because humor seems so inherently a part of a person's makeup,
and since laughter can drown out any other critical
consideration, few remember how effective Sellers could be
outside a joke-filled setting. Granted, he didn't get much of a
chance to show it, but the truth is that when driven, he could be
as amazing - and difficult - as his equally infamous American
counterparts. Case in point - 1973's The Optimists. Taken from
Andrew Simmons' noted novel, this story of a strapped street
performer who befriends two children was seen as a chance for the
commercially questionable Sellers to stretch his performance
wings. Indeed, it remains one of his most fully realized turns
ever.
Sam is an aging busker who barely meters out a minor living on
the streets of London. His music hall days are long gone, and his
old mutt Bella can barely work their crowd. If they manage a few
coppers after a long day of performing, it makes the journey back
to their dilapidated row house near a landfill less depressing.
One day, Sam runs into Liz and Mark Ellis, two urchins looking to
escape their poverty-stricken home life. While Mom is taking care
of their baby sister, and Dad is working overtime in hopes of
earning a council flat, the siblings share dreams of a life
across the river. Taken by Bella, the duo eventually work their
way into Sam's hardened heart. But when they can't afford a stray
dog, and their parents won't pay attention to their needs, Liz
and Mark ask the old man for help. What he provides will turn
them from desperate and sad into something akin to Optimists.
Even among the dirt and decay, they may have a future after all.
A definite product of its time, it's hard to imagine modern
audiences cottoning to this collection of urban nightmares and
flights of forced fantasy. After all, without action and
adventure and plenty of CGI sparkle, it really isn't a family
film, is it? But thanks to an amazing performance by Peter
Sellers, who stands as a lamentably underappreciated dramatic
actor, and a true sense of a pre-punk "No Future" UK, The
Optimists easily earns a Recommended rating. Had it been sharper
during its near two hour running time, had Anthony Simmons not
indulged in every whim derived directly from his own tome, we'd
have a certified classic on our hands. As it stands, this film is
a considered cult gem, and further proof that there was more to
Peter Sellers than slapstick fights with manservant Kato and gags
about "Minkeys". If you want to know the true depth of the man's
talents, this intriguing film is a fine place to start. --Bill
Gibron of DVDTalk.com