Happy Birthday, Toby Simpson (2017) User Reviews

Fake Reviews

[alenacliss · 6/10 · 5 May 2018]

It's fairly inoffensive with the lead resembling a poor man's simon pegg. Why would an attractive 20 year old hang around with this whiney boring 40 year old with his annoying life? Then she makes the moves on him... he looks more like her dad. It's ok acted and fits the brit romcoms but lacks somthing, feels a little bit like a university final year media project Cringe when she flies off the handle to make a finds girl-loses girl- finds girl narrative, wish she'd told him he was miserable at the beginning. Wakes her up by stroking her with his wrinkly hand and giving an awful picture. like creepy stalker. 70% of film is like following a dad and his daughter around a festival. save your money and go to an actual festival.

#good : festival vibe, script, female lead, her singing #bad : boring first half an hour with him in suit, making me feel like I want to throw him off the bus . Grooming someone who looks as young as his daughter. Having to watch his naked body and sex scenes. Him going psycho over a one night stand and half a skunk chocolate brownie

Not the worst film in the world, but shame on those fake reviews making my expectation so high

The only way is up

[Prismark10 · 5/10 · 5 May 2018]

Happy Birthday, Toby Simpson is an independent British film shot on a micro budget.

It is a labour of love for writer and director Patrick Makin who has made his film debut here. Much of the filming took place in Bristol.

Toby (Alexander Perkins) is making a journey of self discovery. His boss at work is awful, he is late to pick up his needy girlfriend at the airport, his dad is pestering him about a promotion at work and it is his birthday. On his way to the airport, he ends up in a bus, gets talking to a girl Renata (Edyta Budnik) an aromatherapist who is on her way to a music festival. Toby joins her because a man in a purple hat seems to have stolen his watch, wallet and mobile phone and he needs to get it back.

Toby starts off in a suit and tie but with Renata, he becomes looser and his artistic side comes out. Toby is a natural artist. He also tries juggling and eats hash brownies. Slowly he falls for Renata.

This is sweet simple film. The two leads have a good chemistry, it feels rather natural although the appraisal meeting with his boss was rather contrived. However it is Toby having a walk on the mild side rather than the wild side.

charming

[Kirpianuscus · 23 March 2020]

Half of charme of its seduction force is represented by the frustrations of the viewer, not so different by Toby Simpson. Half is represented by the well craft of director, actors and atmosphere of festival.Having a high contribution , the conversion of an aromatherapist of an ordinary guy is just nice. A significant contribution , sure, has the status of crazy/imposible dream of story, the dialogue, the poetry are just useful. A charming reminding about dreams and plans and freedom of youth in precise manner.

All the feels

[garethpowen · 10/10 · 17 January 2019]

Charming and funny film, thoroughly enjoyable. Superb lead actors, great cinematography and well directed - well played Paddy Makin!

Funny and sweet

[gillypants-16388 · 8/10 · 16 January 2019]

Very enjoyable, funny film . Alexander Perkins plays the lead very naturally, and is funny, touching and believable. In fact both lead parts work very well together. A tale for those of us bogged down by the boring routine of everyday life . Very enjoyable .

Feel good film with a fantastic soundtrack.

[morgansg-39076 · 10/10 · 6 May 2020]

This is such an uplifting film. It gives us all hope that we can be who we really want to be. There's such a natural chemistry between the main characters, both amazing actors, it's well written, has an awesome soundtrack and captures the highs and lows of life at a festival. It makes me want to pack up my rucksack and go.

Not laughed and cried so much since Four Weddings!

[sjmachin · 9/10 · 21 May 2018]

Brilliantly funny, but poignant, film. I'm sure it struck many chords with people of all ages - prospectively and retrospectively. It will be a classic.

Brilliant quirky feel good film. Funny and moving.

[sophieamini · 10/10 · 17 October 2017]

I loved this film. It was beautifully made and transported you into that moment in time. The lead characters had a natural chemistry which carried you with them throughout the quirky, funny, sad roller-coaster of a week-end. It was utterly charming and very convincing. I wanted it to never end and can't wait to see it again for the music as well as everything else which enhanced the emotion and flow of every scene. Amazing

Lovely film!

[louiseleadbetter · 8/10 · 28 September 2018]

I really enjoyed this film. It gives you a sense of the possibilities of changing your life around over the course of a weekend and the actors are very engaging. The ending is very surprising!!

Great film

[brucewhitmee · 9/10 · 6 June 2018]

Loved it. Great idea to locate a romcom in a music festival. Amazing music, charming script and very English. Well acted. Definitely worth a watch.

Poignant and funny

[jeede · 16 November 2017]

Uplifting, hopeful, poignant,romantic and funny film by Director Patrick Makin. Natural chemistry between two lead actors. Brilliantly captures the optimism of youth and sense that wonderful things can happen at any time that change the course of ones life. Fantastic music that works well with changing emotional pace.

Charming, life-affirming comedy

[pbirley · 9/10 · 8 May 2018]

This is a real gem of a film, a delightful late coming of age love story which also confronts issues of honesty, free will and self-belief. Alexander Perkins and Edyta Budnik play off each other wonderfully as their tender love affair flourishes against the backdrop of a music festival. Humorous throughout, there are also several laugh out loud moments as Toby Simpson's conventional shell melts away. And what a brilliant soundtrack! The film is well worth watching as a fine example of great British comedy.

A must watch film..

[facebook-60760 · 10/10 · 17 October 2017]

..from the opening scenes this utterly charming and very funny film keeps you smiling and wondering well after it finishes. It reflects the daily struggles that face us all and the decisions we never make, mixed with a great sound track - this is a gem of a film among a forest of mediocrity!

Thoroughly engaging and entertaining

[ourhomesales · 9/10 · 1 May 2018]

I must say it took 10 mins or so to get hooked, but the moment Edyta Budnik came into play......boom. One of the best girl next door/free spirits to hit the big screen in an age. The story is well crafted and simplistic. One minor criticism, the script could have handled more dialogue from the front two reducing the amount of music scenes. The male lead was succinctly nerdy but added weight to the part in droves. Truly one of the best feel good movies in quite a while. Get on it!

Charming and moving

[mrstarzak · 8/10 · 14 November 2019]

From a male POV, a lot of us , in our youth, have met a wild and free woman we fall for, and we think has fallen for us. Truth is usually she's living in the moment while you're wondering how to keep up and keep her.

Emotional

[pjianu · 8/10 · 2 February 2019]

The final makes all the movie. They are so pretty together.

Hidden Gem

[rbeach-86761 · 9/10 · 25 January 2019]

Well made and entertaining indie film that punches well above its weight. Well filmed, acted and the music really ties the story together.