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Walking On Sunshine | 3/5

SINGAPORE — Walking On Sunshine isn’t your typical movie musical because unlike those that came before it, such as Grease, Mamma Mia! and Hairspray, it isn’t based on an existing musical. Instead, it’s set to a soundtrack of some of the most beloved pop tunes from the `80s, bringing with it the right mix of cheese and nostalgia.

SINGAPORE — Walking On Sunshine isn’t your typical movie musical because unlike those that came before it, such as Grease, Mamma Mia! and Hairspray, it isn’t based on an existing musical. Instead, it’s set to a soundtrack of some of the most beloved pop tunes from the `80s, bringing with it the right mix of cheese and nostalgia.

Musically produced by Les Miserables’ Anne Dudley and set in the beautiful coastal Italian region of Puglia, it follows fresh graduate Taylor (Hannah Arterton). She visits her sister Maddie (Annabel Scholey), who announces her impending marriage to someone she’s only known for five weeks. To Taylor’s surprise, the man is none other than Raf (Guilio Berruti), the guy she fell in love with three years ago in the exact same town.

As Taylor struggles to deal with her emotions, she’s supported by her best friends Lil (comedian Katy Brand) and Elena (singer Leona Lewis in her film debut). Maddie also has her own problems to tackle, with ex-boyfriend Doug (Greg Wise) suddenly showing up the night before her wedding.

Arterton, the younger sister of British bombshell Gemma Arterton, is endearingly awkward as Taylor, contrasting well with Scholey’s bubbly, vibrant Maddie. Meanwhile the chiselled Berruti is enjoyable to watch, not simply because of his many shirtless scenes but also because whenever he talks to either sister and stares at them with his impossibly bright blue eyes, it leaves you a little breathless.

Despite merely playing a supporting role, Lewis steals your attention during group numbers with her signature adlibs and riffs. The cast members, by the way, performed their own vocals and had to dance to boot.

As you would expect from a movie set to ‘80s glam, there are huge, sweeping numbers that will make you want to get up and dance, as well as dramatic, walking-alone-in-the-dark-looking-lovesick ballads. Without giving too much away, some of the stand outs performances were to the songs Eternal Flame and the title track Walking On Sunshine.

If you’re looking for a feel-good film with a solid soundtrack, look no further. Walking On Sunshine is not only the ultimate girls’ night out companion but also one of the better throwback films to date. After all, who can say no to a movie where they sing, dance and dress up as Madonna or Prince circa the `80s?

(PG, 98 mins)

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