The Winter Guest (1997)

A recent widow who is determined to leave Scotland for Australia with her son gets an unexpected visit from her aging mother.

Director:

Alan Rickman

Writers:

Josep Llurba (translation and adaptation), Sharman Macdonald (play),

Stars:

Phyllida Law, Emma Thompson, Sheila Reid

5 wins & 9 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Phyllida Law	...	Elspeth
Emma Thompson	...	Frances
Sheila Reid	...	Lily
Sandra Voe	...	Chloe
Arlene Cockburn	...	Nita
Gary Hollywood	...	Alex
Sean Biggerstaff	...	Tom
Douglas Murphy	...	Sam
Tom Watson	...	Minister
Jan Shand	...	Café Proprietor
Sandy Neilson	...	Passer-by
Billy McElhaney	...	Bus Driver
Helen Devon	...	Woman in Tea Shop
Harry Welsh	...	Boy in Tea Shop
Christian Zanone	...	Young Man in Church

Storyline

The film centers on four pairs - Frances is a recent widow who wants to get away from Scotland to Australia with her teenage son Alex to escape her memories, arrival of her old mother Elspeth makes her reconsider her decision. Alex approaches his first sexual experience with neighbour girl Nita. Chloe and Lily are two old women who like to attend strangers' funerals and Tom with Sam are two schoolboys who skip school to play on the beach and talk.

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Plot Keywords:

scotland | australia | widow | funeral | beach | 

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Taglines:

No matter where you hide life will always find you

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and brief sensuality

Details

Official Sites:

Fine Line

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

24 December 1997 (USA)

Also Known As:

L'invitée de l'hiver

Filming Locations:

Elie, Fife, Scotland, UK

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

£56,752 (UK) (9 January 1998)

Gross:

$776,332 (USA) (27 March 1998)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Capitol Films, Channel Four Films, Fine Line Features

Technical Specs

Runtime:

108 min 95 min (TV)

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Quotes

[first lines]
Alex: Are you all right?
Frances: Don't keep asking.

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Connections

References Now, Voyager (1942)

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Soundtracks

"Take Me With You"
Sung by Elizabeth Fraser

User Reviews

A stark and beautiful film, with existential meaning

There are other overall comments; I thought I would comment on it from a 'quiet psychological drama' POV. As the different pairs of people (mother/bereaved daughter, son/girlfriend, boys, old women) developed their stories, and sometimes criss-crossed, I saw a growing pattern in how they all dealt with their existential lone-ness and lack of drive. The fun but seemingly insignificant (at first) retired ladies hold the key the others seem to echo each in their own way: that if you have a friend, a journey of discovery, and something (or someone) to care for, you can grow in hard conditions, and move on. There are even almost mythical scenes of epiphany about this theme, but I don't know whether Rickmann or MacDonald intended this beautiful mythological pattern to answer the existential crises we face in modern times, but the richness and depth the characters grow into by the end of the film is something that really hit me. A fascinating study that follows the characters so carefully as to teach you things about yourself. Put this in your medicine cabinet for prompt temporary relief of existential despair. If they can find warmth in that bitter chill, there's hope for us too. Not for you if action movies are your thing, of course!

Meets my standard for 'movies that improved my life'.