THE year 1997 sees an unlikely hero replace Hugh Grant and friends in the box office record books - the character unmistakably known as Mr Bean.

Rowan Atkinson's TV baby is now a fully grown movie star - and taking the nation by storm. The verdict? You'll either love it or hate it. Although the financial rewards have been great, with it reaping a massive £2.5 million in its opening weekend, the critical acclaim has been mixed.

The reason? Like the man himself, it's different. Although several scenes have a "Bean there, done that in the TV series " feel, the storyline is unique, to say the least.The ingenuity behind the film, along with first rate direction, does provide a night of laughs and cringe making moments from the loveable alter ego of Rowan Atkinson.

Watch out for his creative cooking talents and unique medical skills - plus a stake out scene that would put Wallace and Gromit creator Nick Park to shame. It's a film which should be seen if only as an experience. After all - it is British.

Louise Hulland

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