Morvern Callar (2002)

Following her boyfriend's suicide, supermarket clerk Morvern Callar passes off his unpublished novel as her own. With the money her boyfriend left for his funeral, she leaves Scotland for ... See full summary »

Director:

Lynne Ramsay

Writers:

Liana Dognini, Lynne Ramsay,

Stars:

Samantha Morton, Kathleen McDermott, Paul Popplewell

9 wins & 15 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Samantha Morton	...	Morvern Callar
Kathleen McDermott	...	Lanna
Paul Popplewell	...	Cat in the Hat
Ruby Milton	...	Couris Jean
Dolly Wells	...	Susan
Dan Cadan	...	Dazzer
Carolyn Calder	...	Sheila Tequila
Raife Patrick Burchell	...	Boy in Room 1022
Steve Cardwell	...	Welcoming Courier
Bryan Dick	...	Guy with Hat's Mate
El Carrette	...	Gypsy Taxi Driver
Andrew Flanagan	...	Overdose
Des Hamilton	...	Him
Mette Karlsvik	...	Sick Girl / Bikini Girl
Andrew Knowles	...	Green Boy #1

Storyline

Following her boyfriend's suicide, supermarket clerk Morvern Callar passes off his unpublished novel as her own. With the money her boyfriend left for his funeral, she leaves Scotland for Ibiza where she travels with her closest friend. The journey prompts a series of internal and external transformations for Morvern-- ones which bring to light her experiences of grief, memory, freedom, and desire.

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Plot Keywords:

supermarket | money | supermarket clerk | friend | freedom | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for sexuality, nudity, language and some disturbing images

Details

Official Sites:

Company Pictures Warp [uk]

Country:

UK Canada

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

1 November 2002 (UK)

Also Known As:

Le voyage de Morvern Callar

Filming Locations:

Almería, Andalucía, Spain

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$13,836 (USA) (20 December 2002)

Gross:

$267,194 (USA) (22 August 2003)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Alliance Atlantis Motion Picture Production, BBC Films, Film Council

Technical Specs

Runtime:

97 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

When Morvern drags Lanna out of the hotel room and into the cab with the loud music and the decorated dashboard, the shots of the driver show that the dials on the dashboard of the car are not operating, suggesting that the car is, in fact, being towed for filming purposes.

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Quotes

Lanna: Where are we going?
Morvern Callar: Somewhere beautiful.

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Connections

References Ms. 45 (1981)

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Soundtracks

"Cind Eram De '48"
Written by Sapo Perapaskero
Performed by Taraf de Haidouks (as Taraf De Haidouks)
Courtesy of Crammed Discs
Published by Les Éditions de la Bascule

User Reviews

So much that is good about it, but yet so much that is bad

Morvern comes home one day to find her boyfriend dead on the floor, having committed suicide. In an effort to help her get over his dead, he has left her a note, his money and his first novel - which he wants her to publish. Unsure what to do with herself, Morvern continues living her life, pretending she doesn't know where her boyfriend is; she puts her name on his book and submits it to a publishing house before taking his money and setting off to Spain for a holiday with her friend Lanna.

I taped this film and it became one of those films that I knew I'd never totally be in the mood for - it is always easier to watch some junky action movie on a wet, cold evening rather than something requiring thought. Also the reviews on this site seem to be split between `best film ever' and `worst film ever', something that is never a great sign. Anyway, I decided to watch it as I hoped it would be thought provoking and interesting. I had tried to watch Ratcatcher but had been turned off by it's failed attempts at insight or meaning and I was hoping that this film would either tone that down or actually make it work.

Sadly it didn't really do either. The plot is rambling and is more about Morvern's life and actions after her boyfriend's suicide forces her life to change. In this regard it is quite interesting in theory - Morvern appears to be tired of the life of empty clubbing etc and is looking for `somewhere beautiful' to live. As a look at her character the film interested me and the lack of `action' that some have bemoaned wouldn't have been a problem for me if it had done this well; but it doesn't. It is pretty meaningless and the film really does nothing to help you understand this character or what she is feeling or what she is going through. I am not adverse to films like this, but I do appreciate just a little bit of help in knowing what is going on! As it was, the film overdoes the meaningful shots and symbolism to the point that it left me needed to do just too much work to be able to be on the same page as it.

I realise that, for some, the idea that 20 people can watch it and each come out with 20 different films is a good thing - usually it is for me too, but I do prefer a film to have a firm structure or meaning to it - that will usually allow room for interpretation; but leaving the whole film to interpretation is an issue - especially when someone has gone to the problem of developing this character.why not use that rather than hiding it? Morton is really good and it is clear she knew her character and was well directed. She conveys quite a lot and her performance is one of her strongest I've seen. If only the film had backed her up instead of totally relying on her, mostly silent, performance to explain Morvern to the audience. Support from McDermott is also very confident and natural. The direction is quite good - good use of space and location, some clever shots and most of it does look quite beautiful. The only problem I have with Ramsay is that she seems determined not to help anyone get into her film - she uses way too much heavy meaning, metaphors etc and doesn't support them with anything real.

Overall this was still an interesting film but also a frustratingly empty and hollow one. The heart of the story has been twisted to deliver lots of `deep' insight and symbolism but yet nothing is left on the surface to act as our way in. Morton tries really hard to deliver audience understanding but it is too much for her to do it alone. Worth a look simply because it may connect with you and you will be in the `best film ever' camp, but be warned it could as easily have you bored out of your skull. For me, it interested me and made me think but Ramsay did too good a job at shrouding her story in arty pretensions to allow an idiot like me to be part of it. A shame.