Papadopoulos & Sons
Starring: Stephen Dillaine, Georges Corraface, Georgia Groome, Frank Dillane
Director: Marcus Markou
Rating: 3.5/5
Marcus Markou makes the transition from shorts and TV this week as he releases his feature length directorial debut Papadopoulos & Sons.
Greek immigrant Harry Papadopoulos (Dillane) is a self-made millionaire with a lavish mansion house and extravagant lifestyle. But when the economic downturn hits, Harry suddenly loses everything.
The one thing the bank cannot seize is the disused family fish and chip shop in London.Harry can't sell it without the consent of the co-owner - who happens to be his long-estranged brother Spiros (Georges Corraface).
The only option is for Harry and his three children to move into the chippy itself - easier said than done, especially when a rival Turkish kebab shop owner is scrutinising their every move!
But upon moving in, Harry finds that old memories are being stirred and, together with his brother, he decides to re-open the neglected chippy...
This is a very solid directorial debut from Marcus Markou - who has also penned the script - and it is a movie that you cannot help but get swept along with.
It is not without it's flaws as it really could have been a lot funnier but it is a film that has real heart.
Papadopoulos & Sons is a movie that looks at the importance of family and how family should stick together in the good times and the bad.
Stephen Dillaine - who is starring as Stannis Baratheon in Game of Thrones at the moment - is great in the central role of the uptight Harry Papadopoulos.
Harry is a man who is driven by success and money, he is failing to connect with his children whilst also grieving for the loss of his wife.
Harry is the character that goes on the biggest journey in the movie as he comes to realise that material things are not what make you happy; family is the most important thing.
Georges Corraface is also terrific as Harry's older and slightly wilder brother Spiros.
Spiros starts to connect with Harry's children like Harry never could and starts to being father and children closer together.
Papadopoulos & Sons is a movie with real flavour and charm and you cannot help get behind the Papadopoulos family and hope that they succeed.
And it is this charm and heart that really makes this movie a success.
Papadopoulos & Sons is out now.