My Talks with Dean Spanley (2008)
"Dean Spanley" (original title)

Set in Edwardian England where upper lips are always stiff and men from the Colonies are not entirely to be trusted, Fisk Senior has little time or affection for his son, but when the pair visit an eccentric Indian, they start a strange journey that eventually allows the old man to find his heart.

Director:

Toa Fraser

Writers:

Lord Dunsany (book), Alan Sharp

Stars:

Jeremy Northam, Sam Neill, Bryan Brown

7 wins & 7 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jeremy Northam	...	Fisk Junior
Sam Neill	...	Dean Spanley
Bryan Brown	...	Wrather
Peter O'Toole	...	Fisk Senior
Art Malik	...	Swami Nala Prash
Ramon Tikaram	...	Nawab of Ranjiput
Xavier Horan	...	Harrington Fisk
Barbara Wilshere	...	1st Lady
Angela Clerkin	...	2nd Lady
Dudley Sutton	...	Marriot
Shaughan Seymour	...	Wine Shop Proprietor
Charlotte Graham	...	Woman in Cloisters
Haydon Downing	...	Boy in Cloisters
Miriama McDowell	...	Foxy Lady
Bruce Hopkins	...	Shepherd

Storyline

Each Thursday, a man approaching middle age calls upon his father, aged, caustic, nihilistic, and emotionally distant, perhaps from the loss of a son in the Boer War and his wife soon after. On this day, the son suggests they attend a visiting guru's lecture on the transmigration of souls. There they chat with a vicar and a soldier of fortune; dinner follows. Over glasses of Hungarian Tokay, the vicar, Dean Spanley, tells a story of friendship, freedom, and reincarnation. In what earthly way could this tale connect father and son?

---

Plot Keywords:

old man | club | pet dog | reference to psyche | british | 

---

Taglines:

A shaggy dog story that will warm the heart of even the meanest Scrooge

---

Genres:

Comedy | Drama

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for some thematic material and mild language

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [uk]

Country:

New Zealand UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

12 December 2008 (UK)

Also Known As:

Las vidas del Sr. Spanley

Filming Locations:

New Zealand

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

£42,898 (UK) (12 December 2008)

Gross:

£42,898 (UK) (12 December 2008)

Company Credits

Production Co:

New Zealand Film Commission, Atlantic Film Productions, General Film Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Peter O'Toole said the use of comedy to explore the relationship between a father and son was part of what attracted him to the film. He remarked: "All of us had difficult familial relationships. I think its a film for all of us who understand the relationship between a father and son. Its been interesting watching various members of the crew looking at the monitors during scenes. They come up to me then and say "I had the same thing with my father."

---

Quotes

Fisk Junior: Do you believe in the transmigration of souls, Mrs. Brimley?
Mrs Brimley: I don't believe in letting foreigners in, if that's what you mean.

User Reviews

Four Outstanding Thumbs-Up for Dean Spanley

We found Dean Spanley by surfing Comcast On Demand and were delighted by this witty, thought-provoking and emotional film. It's based on a story by Lord Dunsany, a writer who "imaginatively transforms materials from The Arabian Nights, classical mythology, Celtic, Germanic, and Hindu folklore as well as from medieval lays and quest romances." The cast is amazing for a New Zealand film, the script is excellent, the acting is superb and the climactic scene is totally gripping for all that it takes place in a dinner-table conversation. American film makers should take note of how this is done -- but they won't. Peter O'Toole should get an Oscar for his performance as Fisk Senior -- but he won't. We should all be able to see more movies like Dean Spanley -- but I'm not holding my breath. Don't let that keep you from enjoying this terrific movie. Four enthusiastic thumbs-up for Dean Spanley. (Dean is a title, not a name.)