How I Live Now (2013)

An American girl, sent to the English countryside to stay with relatives, finds love and purpose while fighting for her survival as war envelops the world around her.

Director:

Kevin Macdonald

Writers:

Meg Rosoff (based on the novel by), Jeremy Brock (screenplay by)

Stars:

Saoirse Ronan, Tom Holland, George MacKay

1 win & 8 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Saoirse Ronan	...	Daisy
Tom Holland	...	Isaac
George MacKay	...	Eddie
Harley Bird	...	Piper
Danny McEvoy	...	Joe
Anna Chancellor	...	Aunt Penn
Jonathan Rugman	...	News Reporter
Corey Johnson	...	Consular Official
Darren Morfitt	...	Sergeant
Stella Gonet	...	Mrs. McEvoy
Des McAleer	...	Major McEvoy
Sophie Stanton	...	Woman in Truck
Natasha Jonas	...	Woman in Truck
Nav Sidhu	...	Checkpoint Soldier
Amy Dawson	...	Beaten Woman

Storyline

American teenager Daisy (Saoirse Ronan) is sent by her estranged father away from New York City to the countryside of England to stay with her Aunt Penn (Anna Chancellor). Her distant cousin Isaac (Tom Holland) welcomes her at the airport and drives her home. She is introduced to her cousins, seventeen-year-old Eddie (George MacKay) and young Piper (Harley Bird) and to their friend Joe (Danny McEvoy). However, Daisy is a resentful, needy of love, and aloof girl who believes that she is cursed and that bad things happen wherever she goes since her mother died giving birth to her. Aunt Penn is a busy woman who is studying the war scenario in England, which is on alert due to an imminent terrorist attack, and needs to fly to Geneva. However, the next morning, a nuclear bomb explodes in London and the authorities of the United Kingdom declare a state of siege. Meanwhile, Daisy and Eddie fall in love with each other, but they are separated by the military, which sends girls to one camp and...

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Plot Keywords:

survival | nuclear fallout | cousin cousin relationship | england | terrorist attack | 

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Taglines:

Love will lead you home.

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Genres:

Action | Drama | Romance | Sci-Fi | Thriller | War

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for violence, disturbing images, language and some sexuality.

Did You Know?

Trivia

In the book, Eddie has Issac's personality. In this movie, Isaac has Eddie's personality.

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Goofs

At 28:37, Isaac leaps over the couch (holding a flashlight) and lands comfortably seated, a quick-action scene completed with two different camera angles. In the first, Eddie is watching Isaac's antics, while in the second, Eddie is instead looking down at his radio.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Daisy: Imagine yourself being successful.

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Connections

Featured in Projector: How I Live Now (2013)

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Soundtracks

Which Will
Music and lyrics by Nick Drake
Performed by Nick Drake

User Reviews

It's not about the war, its about change in perspective . . .

Hence "How I live NOW". I was hesitant to rent this due to some poor ratings but glad I saw it. This is not a big budget movie, but I found that there was enough action to keep me interested and enough military "gear" to make the visuals plausible. Some have written about technicalities of the war and inconsistencies thereof, but I think that misses the point. The main character's perspective is dramatically changed by her experiences and she matures dramatically throughout the film. Some have also bagged on the romance, but first love is overwhelming and single focused. It is a simple straightforward film that didn't get too cute. Don't overthink it and you will enjoy it. The feel of the country house makes me want to move to Wales, although I am sure it is only that nice in weather for two weeks a year.

Details

Official Sites:

Official site Official site [Japan]

Country:

UK Canada

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 October 2013 (UK)

Also Known As:

How I Live Now

Filming Locations:

Wales, UK

Box Office

Budget:

$8,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$28,547, 10 November 2013

Gross USA:

$60,213

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$925,762

Company Credits

Production Co:

Film4, BFI Film Fund, Protagonist Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

101 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1