Falling for Figaro * * * ½

This is is a charming little film, with a story line no less predictable than an opera libretto. 

Millie is a young woman who is a very successful fund manager but she has a dream of becoming an opera singer; and so she takes a gamble and quits her career to commit herself to following her dream. 

Make way for the Factotum

Joanne Lumley plays Meghan, a horror singing teacher: stern, condescending and cruelly funny.  She lives on a small farm in Scotland where she has a hired help, Max, who is a young man who also wishes to be an opera singer.  Being her dogsbody is how he pays for his lessons.  

Millie arrives on the scene to become Meghan's second student.  A situation that Max does not take too kindly to.

Meghan's style of teaching seems to be to knock all the self-confidence and self-belief out of her students and then build them back up again her way.  Needles to say, Joanne Lumley can play it with a cruelty that makes you feel ashamed for laughing.

Also needless to say, the relationship between Max and Millie changes from adversity to.... well you guessed it. Especially for Max who becomes quite lovesick.

However, they are both aspiring to be in the "Singers of Renown" competition.  A competition which only the best of upcoming opera singers can participate in.  It usually results in the winner being offered a professional career. Only one person can win and both Millie and Max are competing.

Along the journey expect some beautiful landscapes in the Scottish Highlands, some quirky locals in the village pub and of course some beautiful arias.  

It's a sweet little film that you could safely take your Grandma to, and you'd probably enjoy it yourself. I did.