The Return (2003)

A former alcoholic returns home after ten years in prison for the murder of her husband. As her recollection of the murder returns, things take a different turn.

Director:

Dermot Boyd

Writer:

Kate O'Riordan

Stars:

Julie Walters, Neil Dudgeon, Ger Ryan

3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Julie Walters	...	Lizzie Hunt
Neil Dudgeon	...	Matt Dempsey
Ger Ryan	...	Maggie Lynch
Glen Barry	...	Jimmy Hunt
Alan Barry	...	Dr. Brian Cullen
Eileen Colgan	...	Fee Cullen
Pauline McLynn	...	Laura Dunmore
Nick Dunning	...	Tony Hunt
Lise Ann McLaughlin	...	Rosie Hunt (as Lise-Ann McLaughlin)
Cathy White	...	Jen Carling
Philip O'Sullivan	...	Gerry Lynch
Frankie McCafferty	...	Sean Donovan
Eleanor Methven	...	Helen Dempsey
Denis Conway	...	David Hunt
Britta Smith	...	Prison Governor

Storyline

A former alcoholic returns home after ten years in prison for the murder of her husband. As her recollection of the murder returns, things take a different turn.

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

30 December 2003 (UK)

Also Known As:

Le retour

Filming Locations:

Ireland

Company Credits

Production Co:

Sally Head Productions, Octagon Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

98 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

User Reviews

Forcefully carried but emotionally under-whelming drama

STAR RATING:*****Unmissable****Very Good***Okay**You Could Go Out For A Meal Instead*Avoid At All Costs

Lizzie Hunt (Julie Walters) is a woman who has just been released from prison on parole after serving a long stretch inside for murdering her husband in an alcoholic fit of rage.The conditions for her parole are that she keeps away from the booze and her now teenage son.However,as events progress,these conditions become harder and harder to abide by,and doubts begin to creep in to her mind as to whether she is in fact a murderer after all.

This is certainly a strong premise to build a drama/thriller on,and the film is well carried by a strong,commanding central performance from Walters,who wonderfully conveys the varying emotions of a reformed killer and recovering alcoholic respectively.The supporting cast manage to keep the boat flowing fairly well too.However,it's capsized by a monotonous,stationary script,which has a number of potentially interesting sub-plots to build on,but instead chooses to linger too heavily in first gear,causing the film to become slightly repetitive and boring.

And it's ultimately the script that,despite some sparkling dialogue,causes The Return to fall short of it's full potential.***