In a Nutshell:
Bleecker Street brings two of my favorite actors together in this touching drama: Colin Firth and Stanley Tucci. The movie was written and directed by Harry Macqueen. It's only his second film after he did HINTERLAND. Firth and Tucci play gay lovers who go on a road trip while they're dealing with the recent diagnosis of early-onset dementia in one of them. The fact that the characters are gay is not the main element of the film but just another way to look at the many obstacles loved ones go through in this journey we call life.
it's heartbreaking and especially tough for me to watch because my parents are struggling with this very illness now. It seems to be on the minds of Hollywood filmmakers lately too, as several movies have come out in the past year that explores this delicate, depressing, complex, and very real issue that many of us face on a day-to-day basis.
Things I liked:
Colin Firth and Stanley Tucci are excellent, as expected. They are at ease with each other and show a genuine tenderness for one another. Although both actors are straight, their portrayal as a homosexual couple is believable and touching. Both deliver effortless performances as a master class in acting.
Stanley Tucci's character is interested in astronomy, which is where the movie title gets its name from. It is said that a supernova burns brighter, yet shorter, just like his character's life.
As the two men take a road trip, you get to see some beautiful landscapes of England. The film was shot mainly in the Lake District of Cumbria in the United Kingdom. I got to travel there a few years ago and would happily go back. Some of the frames look like postcards shot by cinematographer Dick Pope.
Colin Firth plays the piano in the movie and it's really him playing!
The movie and music don't go for the easy tear-jerker moments. Everything is quite understated...so British.
Lovely music on the cello.
Some of the dialogue is fantastic with profound insights. The writing was very well balanced, giving you inspiring moments from both men. I don't know which would be worst: losing yourself to dementia or losing your loved one who has dementia. Heartbreaking either way.
I thought it was cute when Stanley Tucci's character noted that the car's navigator's voice sounded like Margaret Thatcher. I'm always grateful for a little humor to balance out all of the sadness in dramatic movies.
Things I didn't like:
It's a very slow burn.
The subject matter of life and death are melancholy and sad. If you're experiencing this in your life with your loved ones, you'll probably choke back a few tears. If not, you might actually be bored a little bit.
The movie ends abruptly.
Themes Worth Talking About:
Love and relationships
Loss
Life and death
Talk of suicide
Just like the road trip the men go on, life is all about the journey, not the destination.
Tips for parents:
Profanity and F-bombs
You see Stanley Tucci shirtless
You see two men in bed together. They get a little frisky in one scene, but luckily, it's dark and you don't see much.
Kids will be completely bored. So will some adults.
You can see the rest of my review on my Movie Review Mom YouTube channel!
