This film is a wonderful oddity. It begins with a rant from Gambon and a heartfelt but mawkish delivery from the stage - and the unpredictability never lets up thereafter. All of the performances are quite splendid but Benning, like Julia, steals the show. I love to consider the working of a script or a plot but I was so fully immersed in this film that its workings were seamless. The film looks beautiful, eschews the obvious, and offers a new perspective on how people cope with the disappointments of life, the responsibilities of maintaining performances on and off the stage, and the need to be loved.
The film provides a superb finale which is funny, sad, encouraging and yet miserable. One of the most pleasing films I have seen for some considerable time.
The film provides a superb finale which is funny, sad, encouraging and yet miserable. One of the most pleasing films I have seen for some considerable time.