THERE was a time when you actually looked forward to a British rom-com. But it seems since the ink in Richard Curtis’s fountain pen ran dry, any filmmaker who has tried to replicate the wit of the writer’s biggest successes has failed to raise so much as a wry smile, nevermind get box office tills ringing.
So at first glance, it would be easy to dismiss Chalet Girl as another disappointing dud, which should be avoided at all costs.
However, that would be a mistake, because although Phil Traill’s film is as predictable as it sounds, what it lacks in originality it makes up for in sweetness and charm.
The plot is from the rom-com cookie cutter factory – 19-year-old Kim (Felicity Jones) is in a dead end job in a dead end town, working to support both herself and her unemployed dad (a perfectly cast Bill Bailey), unable to motivate himself to return to work after the tragic death of Kim’s mother.
It’s a loss which has left a hole in Kim’s life too – once a former skateboarding champion, she hasn’t competed in the sport since and is now resigned to serving fast food to spotty teenagers.
When her friend suggests she apply for a job as a chalet girl – basically a live in maid for wealthy ski enthusiasts in the Alps – she finds a way out of her stagnant existence.
Assigned to live and work in the luxury chalet of successful businessman Richard Masden (Bill Nighy), she spends her days cooking, cleaning and catering for his family. Propelled into a world of wealth, fun and endless parties, Kim is utterly baffled by this new way of life.
Finding it hard to grasp all the rules and be accepted by her uber-posh co-worker Georgie (Tamsin Egerton) she quickly finds herself way out of her depth.
To make matters worse, she finds herself falling for her boss’s son Jonny (Ed Westwick.) Gorgeous, charming and talented there’s just two problems –Jonny’s ice-princess girlfriend Chloe (Sophia Bush) and his scheming mother (Brooke Shields.) With few friends to turn to Kim takes to the slopes where she discovers the thrills of snow-boarding and a natural talent. Filled with a new found confidence she enters the resort’s biggest Pro-boarding event of the year.
It’s your typical fish out of water story and most of the gags revolve around Kim’s inability to fit in with her champagne quaffing colleagues and employers.
There’s very little which is new or unseen in a film from this genre, but it doesn’t try to be greater than the sum of its parts and its warm, gentle humour makes it hard to ever hate.
The film is also saved by the relatively unknown cast, with Egerton shining and clearly relishing her role as Kim’s bitchy mentor.
Westwick smoulders rather than acts as the posh, smooth-talking love interest, but thanks to Jones there is some genuine chemistry between the star-crossed lovers.
Veteran thespian Nighy is predictably droll and Shields seems born to play the snooty, disapproving mum.
Filmed on location in the Alps, there’s also some genuinely thrilling snowboarding and skiing scenes and winter sports fans will no doubt enjoy spotting some famous names and well known slopes.
Though it will be forgotten as fast as a snowman in the sun, Chalet Girl will still put a smile on your face and melt the iciest of hearts.
Chalet Girl (12A) is released in cinemas tomorrow.
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