Love Sarah explores the well-meaning of female friendship through the eyes of three generations of women and their dream to open up a bakery on Golborne Road, a culturally diverse area of Notting Hill.
It was supposed to be a day of celebration for Sarah (Candice Brown), and Isabella (Shelley Conn) as they were finally opening up their own bakery together. Unfortunately, on the eve of receiving the keys, a tragic cycling accident cancels Sarah’s and Isabella’s dream. Not only this, Clarissa (Shannon Tarbet), Sarah’s 18-year-old daughter’s dancing career becomes destabilised due to the sudden shock of her mother’s passing.
Desperate to keep the business afloat, Clarissa pleads with her grandmother Mimi (Celia Imrie), to support the bakery financially and find a fitting chef who would fill Sarah’s shoes. Putting all their lives on hold, the three inspirational women, and also chef Matthew (Rupert Penry-Jones) embark on a journey to continue on the beloved dream.
Directed by the talented Eliza Schroeder, Love Sarah sees the three women struggle with their emotions, each other, and some difficult milestones, to eventually overcome adversity and establish a renowned bakery their loved-one Sarah would have been proud of. Though the film touches on notions of regret, grief, and dealing with the unexpected loss of a loved one, the film is told with a lightness of touch and successfully illuminates the importance that life is a journey.
Though the movie has its faults, such as a lack of appealing drama and its slow progress, it benefits from a trio of cast who effectively bring their characters to life. Imrie’s class and extraordinary talent, in particular, shines brightly throughout the entirety of the film; some may even say she is the saving grace of the movie.
So if you’re in the mood to watch a heartfelt film with some delectable delicacies on display, than this is the movie for you.
Love Sarah is one of the first major theatrical releases to celebrate the reopening of Australian cinemas.
