IN A a recent article Emma Thompson spoke out against creating films aimed at the ‘grey pound’, arguing that a good film should appeal to all ages regardless as to the age of the cast or storyline of the film.

She makes a good point. The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel and Quartet worked because they told stories of interesting characters who happened to be older, and demonstrating their relevance to the world. Joy and tragedy have the same impact on humans when they were born.

Richard (Pierce Brosnan) is a few days away from retirement from life in the corporate world when he discovers that his company has been taken over by a merciless French tycoon who has shut it down and lost all the firm’s pension money.

Not only has he and his staff lost everything, but his ex-wife Kate’s (Thompson) pension and house is also tied up in the company.

They travel to Paris together to confront the tycoon and when that fails they rope in a couple of friends (Celia Imrie and Timothy Spall) to break into the tycoon’s wedding and steal a very valuable necklace he recently purchased for his fiancee.

Needless to say high jinks ensue and Kate and Richard find themselves getting to know each other all over again.

The Love Punch is a completely ridiculous but very entertaining film with four great performances at its heart.

The chemistry between Brosnan and Thompson is excellent, and the whole thing looks like it was a lot of fun to make. The plot is completely far-fetched and the adventures along the way are farcical, to the point where they become hard to believe.

That being said, it sparkles along and is a pleasant escape for a couple of hours.

6.5/10 Andrew Shepherd