Fred Schepisi's adaptation of Graham Swift's novel about a group of elderly men fulfilling the dying wishes of a friend, and taking his ashes from London to a seaside resort for final scattering, is warm and touching. Focusing on the dead man, Jack (Michael Caine), we follow his life mainly though the memories of his wife (Helen Mirren), his best friend Ray (Bob Hoskins)and his son Vince (Ray Winstone). The personalities, histories and inter-relationships of Jack and the others are revealed and examined in detail - warts and all. The overall feel of the film is that lives matter even when they appear inconsequential, and that love and friendships are valuable even if they don't always run smoothly.
Much of the film's interest lies in the fine acting of a top quality ensemble which, in addition to those already mentioned includes Tom Courtenay and David Hemmings. One of the problems for the makers of film, and for the audience, is that some of the flashback scenes feature the main characters when they were young adults, who have to be played by young actors. The fact that Caine et al have had such long careers, and we are so familiar with their faces, makes this aspect especially problematic, but the surrogates are generally acceptable, especially J J Feild as the young Jack, and Hemmings' son Nolan as the young version of his role.
In relating Jack's history, the film also relates 50 years of British history, and unfortunately there is more than a hint of misty-eyed nostalgia. Many scenes look backward to "attractive" features of English life that have gone (such as the idyllic Kent hopfields of the 1930s) or remind us of past glories (like the scene in Canterbury Cathedral). I would have welcomed some recognition that the "old days" had both bad and good sides, and/or that Britain has a vibrant present as well as a glorious past. On the whole, however, the film is more to be seen as a poignant and positive character-driven drama, rather than for any socio-political content.
Much of the film's interest lies in the fine acting of a top quality ensemble which, in addition to those already mentioned includes Tom Courtenay and David Hemmings. One of the problems for the makers of film, and for the audience, is that some of the flashback scenes feature the main characters when they were young adults, who have to be played by young actors. The fact that Caine et al have had such long careers, and we are so familiar with their faces, makes this aspect especially problematic, but the surrogates are generally acceptable, especially J J Feild as the young Jack, and Hemmings' son Nolan as the young version of his role.
In relating Jack's history, the film also relates 50 years of British history, and unfortunately there is more than a hint of misty-eyed nostalgia. Many scenes look backward to "attractive" features of English life that have gone (such as the idyllic Kent hopfields of the 1930s) or remind us of past glories (like the scene in Canterbury Cathedral). I would have welcomed some recognition that the "old days" had both bad and good sides, and/or that Britain has a vibrant present as well as a glorious past. On the whole, however, the film is more to be seen as a poignant and positive character-driven drama, rather than for any socio-political content.