Peter’s Friends Movie Review (1992)
A cozy ensemble film with an excellent soundtrack, Peter’s Friends, about a group of college mates reuniting for the holidays a decade after graduation, will have you feeling nostalgic.
I have always been a big fan of The Big Chill. An ensemble piece about a group of people who were close friends in college and come back together after the death of a friend, there is a wistfulness in it. No matter what decade you went to high school, college, or summer camp, most of us have had a few friends that felt like home. Time goes by, though, and life goes on. Nothing really happens to note it, you just lose touch.
Peter’s Friends is about a group of Cambridge University friends who performed in a theatre troop together. A decade later, they reunite at Peter’s luxurious house in the country – a house that he has inherited from his recently deceased father. Since graduation: two friends have married, one is dreadfully single, another has a different boyfriend of the month, the fifth has married a television star, and they all suspect that Peter is gay. Once reunited, they plan to spend New Year’s eve together.
This comedy is the British version of The Big Chill. It is slightly different in tone (The Big Chill is more serious and this is lighter), but the essence is the same. All of these people knew each other during their formative years, and while they have had experiences with each other and the outside world over the decade, they share an innocent history that they all hold dear.
Starring Stephen Fry, Kenneth Branagh, Alphonsia Emmanuel, Hugh Laurie, Imelda Staunton, Emma Thompson, and Rita Rudner (who co-wrote the film with Martin Bergman), this is a who’s who of the 1990s. And it being a true ensemble film, everyone has their moment to shine, but it always falls back to the group.
The opening credits, which run through a litany of media moments that took place between 1982-1992 is immediately engaging, and the score is amazing. “You’re My Best Friend” by Queen, “Everybody Wants To Rule The World” by Tears For Fears, “What’s Love Got To Do With It” by Tina Turner, “Let’s Stay Together” by Al Green – it’s like a jackpot of one hit after the next.
Another standout trait about Peter’s Friends is that everyone actually eats. You never think about it while watching a movie, but how often do you see characters truly feed themselves during a scene? In this, there are montages of people eating various delicious foods and it adds to the comfort and lovability of the film.
Peter’s Friends is a very sweet ensemble piece that is incredibly enjoyable with a great cast. A group of people who love each other and understand each other, it’s just a really warm and affable watch.
Runtime: 101 minutes
Motion Picture Rating: R
Languages Spoken In The Film: English
Should You Watch It? Yes
Did I Cry? Nope
My Rating: 3.5/5 Stars
Available: To rent on Prime Video or may be available for free on other streaming platforms
