This heart-warming Australian film about an elderly dressmaker knows exactly who it's designed for, says Simon Morris.
A Stitch in Time stars screen veteran Maggie Blincoe (Crocodile Dundee), newcomer Hoa Xuande (Cowboy Bebop) and former pop star Glenn Shorrock (The Little River Band).
Liebe has been out of the scene for years, playing second fiddle, so to speak, to long-time partner Duncan – a musician who's been waiting for that big break all his life. (Imagine someone like Glenn Shorrock if he'd never struck it big with The Little River Band.)
Actually, you don't have to imagine too hard... Duncan's played by Glenn Shorrock in a rare acting role.
Liebe, on the other hand, is played by the hugely experienced Maggie Blinco, who's been a familiar face on Aussie film and TV since the '70s, though this is her first ever starring role.
After years of being under Duncan's thumb, Liebe breaks away and is put up by her rich friends Christine and Justin.
Christine's delighted to have a live-in dressmaker, while Justin is driven crazy by Liebe's antique sewing machine.
But it turns out that Liebe is astonishingly talented, and her classic frocks are just what today's Youth is crying out for, apparently.
But can she find a way to keep going before Duncan drags her back to servitude?
Christine - think a sort of Australian Patsy from Absolutely Fabulous - is determined that won't happen.
But hang on, more practical help is on its way.
From the market where Liebe's set up her stall comes a Chinese-Australian fashion designer called - why not? - Hamish. He expresses an interest in going into business with Liebe.
In other words, A Stitch in Time offers a series of feel-good movie elements, with potential happy endings signalled from the start.
Will Liebe make good against all the odds? Will she put the nay-sayer's noses out of joint? Will she be assisted by an unlikely group of supporters? Will grumpy old Duncan come to his senses at the very last moment?
If you need me to answer any of these questions, you don't deserve to go and see a film called A Stitch in Time. It's all in the title, after all.
But it's not just a well-crafted script for a specific audience.
Journeyman director Sasha Hadden has also attracted an A-List crew to make sure the film looks and sounds like several million bucks.
In the end, the casting of Glenn Shorrock pays off with a terrific rendition of a nice song - not that one! - to see him off.
Does it "go viral" at the end? I couldn't possibly tell you.
Meanwhile, Maggie Blinco is given more happy endings than anyone could possibly wish for.
But one thing an audience for a film like A Stitch in Time is never going to complain about is too many happy endings!
