Who wouldn't want a man that walks 500 miles (and 500 more) just to be with you? In 1988 the Scottish band The Proclaimers released their album "Sunshine on Leith" featuring the song "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)," which had all the buoyant freshness of a young June bride clutching a rose bouquet. The Proclaimers went on to platinum-album fame, world fame with "500 Miles" still adorning the soundtracks of movies and TV shows. Dexter Fletcher's new film, "Sunshine on Leith," builds its entire story around that song.
It's a film draped in the flag of Scotland — anyone who's ever had a couple of pints in a Scottish pub will choke back a few tears watching this feel-good vehicle running on patriotic fervor. As one of the characters says, "Edinburgh is the greatest place on Earth."
"Sunshine on Leith" was a beloved stage musical before being adapted to the screen by British actor/director Fletcher. All the songs are performed by the cast, including Jane Horrocks (of "Little Voice" fame), Scotland's iconic Peter Mullan (sporting a thick, raspy singing voice) and The Proclaimers themselves even put in a cameo. Toward the end, the feel-fabulous factor goes up so high that some in the audience may feel the urge to step out to take a deep breath of toxic car fumes or have the desire to watch a frame or two of "Apocalypse Now."