The Winter Guest (1997) -
Not really knowing what to expect, I had thought that with Emma Thompson and Alan Rickman involved, this film should at the very least be not bad, but I never can tell with actors turned Directors or left to their own devices too much, so it was a real pleasure to find, after an initial questioning of what was to come from some odd beginnings, that both Alan and Emma, with the help of her Mum Phyllida delivered a lovely little film that was full of charming wit.
Mother and daughter playing the same parts here were awesome. Emma (Frances) delivered a fantastically dramatic performance filled with angst and uncertainty, while Phyllida (Elspeth) offered more of the comic relief in the form of everyone's slightly nutty Mum or Granny.
There was an eclectic mix of other characters depicted over the course of a day, some more successfully incorporated than others.
I wasn't particularly bothered by the connection between Frances' Son, Alex (Gary Hollywood) and Nita (Arlene Cockburn). It was hard to quantify the gay hairdresser Dino from 'Mrs Brown's Boys' (2011-9) as the horny teenager Alex in this production.
Perhaps this was the experience that turned him? Because let's face it, Nita was a bit butch and more than a little aggressive.
The two young lads bunking off of school were very funny though. The subjects that they discussed were hilarious. Sean Biggerstaff in the role of Tom and Douglas Murphy as Sam acted exactly how I remember acting when I was their age.
I almost felt that if their story had continued as part of a soap, they would probably have found love together, because their bond and relationship seemed so much more than just the usual lads banter. I liked the endearing way that they looked after each other, as well as the usual teasing that all kids can't resist.
Not a lot happened in the end, but there was something beautiful about the film overall.
It seemed to be a representation of the stages of life, shown through the different sources depicted and in some ways I thought that it was trying to show the beauty in life, if only you stop to look for it.
I did wonder if the "Winter Guest" was Elspeth's potential Alzheimers? An uninvited guest in her winter years? Or whether it was more literal than that, as each of the cast seemed to have someone turn up in their lives on that one Winters day, welcome or otherwise. The exception being the two old dears, Lily and Chloe (Sheila Reid and Sandra Voe) as the uninvited guests. Their little contribution was fun and reminded me of the characters of 'Take The High Road' (1980-2003) or the gossipy women of Agatha Christie's works.
I also liked the appropriate and simple piano soundtrack. It was certainly complimentary and added to the feelings of sadness and at other times light.
In many ways this was an uplifting film that tickled with comedy, whilst also making me think, but it was very melancholy too and trying to understand how I felt when it was done was difficult. Having had a week or so to think about it since, I've realised that it was a joy, like an old song that makes me cry because of the memories it evokes, but also makes me laugh, because the lyrics are stupid or out of date.
I definitely recommend this as one to watch, but don't start out with high expectations, let it win you over.
729.33/1000.
Not really knowing what to expect, I had thought that with Emma Thompson and Alan Rickman involved, this film should at the very least be not bad, but I never can tell with actors turned Directors or left to their own devices too much, so it was a real pleasure to find, after an initial questioning of what was to come from some odd beginnings, that both Alan and Emma, with the help of her Mum Phyllida delivered a lovely little film that was full of charming wit.
Mother and daughter playing the same parts here were awesome. Emma (Frances) delivered a fantastically dramatic performance filled with angst and uncertainty, while Phyllida (Elspeth) offered more of the comic relief in the form of everyone's slightly nutty Mum or Granny.
There was an eclectic mix of other characters depicted over the course of a day, some more successfully incorporated than others.
I wasn't particularly bothered by the connection between Frances' Son, Alex (Gary Hollywood) and Nita (Arlene Cockburn). It was hard to quantify the gay hairdresser Dino from 'Mrs Brown's Boys' (2011-9) as the horny teenager Alex in this production.
Perhaps this was the experience that turned him? Because let's face it, Nita was a bit butch and more than a little aggressive.
The two young lads bunking off of school were very funny though. The subjects that they discussed were hilarious. Sean Biggerstaff in the role of Tom and Douglas Murphy as Sam acted exactly how I remember acting when I was their age.
I almost felt that if their story had continued as part of a soap, they would probably have found love together, because their bond and relationship seemed so much more than just the usual lads banter. I liked the endearing way that they looked after each other, as well as the usual teasing that all kids can't resist.
Not a lot happened in the end, but there was something beautiful about the film overall.
It seemed to be a representation of the stages of life, shown through the different sources depicted and in some ways I thought that it was trying to show the beauty in life, if only you stop to look for it.
I did wonder if the "Winter Guest" was Elspeth's potential Alzheimers? An uninvited guest in her winter years? Or whether it was more literal than that, as each of the cast seemed to have someone turn up in their lives on that one Winters day, welcome or otherwise. The exception being the two old dears, Lily and Chloe (Sheila Reid and Sandra Voe) as the uninvited guests. Their little contribution was fun and reminded me of the characters of 'Take The High Road' (1980-2003) or the gossipy women of Agatha Christie's works.
I also liked the appropriate and simple piano soundtrack. It was certainly complimentary and added to the feelings of sadness and at other times light.
In many ways this was an uplifting film that tickled with comedy, whilst also making me think, but it was very melancholy too and trying to understand how I felt when it was done was difficult. Having had a week or so to think about it since, I've realised that it was a joy, like an old song that makes me cry because of the memories it evokes, but also makes me laugh, because the lyrics are stupid or out of date.
I definitely recommend this as one to watch, but don't start out with high expectations, let it win you over.
729.33/1000.