The Sense of an Ending (2017)

A man becomes haunted by his past and is presented with a mysterious legacy that causes him to re-think his current situation in life.

Director:

Ritesh Batra

Writers:

Julian Barnes (novel), Nick Payne (adaptation)

Stars:

Jim Broadbent, Charlotte Rampling, Harriet Walter

1 win.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jim Broadbent	...	Tony Webster
Charlotte Rampling	...	Veronica Ford
Harriet Walter	...	Margaret Webster
Michelle Dockery	...	Susie Webster
Matthew Goode	...	Mr. Hunt
Emily Mortimer	...	Sarah Ford
James Wilby	...	David Ford
Edward Holcroft	...	Jack Ford
Billy Howle	...	Young Tony
Freya Mavor	...	Young Veronica
Joe Alwyn	...	Adrian Finn
Peter Wight	...	Colin Simpson
Hilton McRae	...	Alex Stuart
Jack Loxton	...	Young Colin Simpson
Timothy Innes	...	Young Alex Stuart

Storyline

Divorced and retired, Tony Webster, an aging Londoner and vintage camera shop owner, whittles down the solitude of his isolated existence by keeping an affectionate relationship with his ex-wife, Margaret, and by accompanying his nearly full-term pregnant daughter, Susie, to antenatal courses. However, the unexpected arrival of an unsettling letter will disrupt the fine balance of things in Tony's orderly life, reconnecting him with his first love from college, Veronica, and the nostalgic, yet clouded memories of a distant past. Inevitably, as Tony scavenges for bits and pieces through flashbacks, the out-of-focus picture of his youth will gradually sharpen, nevertheless, is he ready to face the truth?

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Plot Keywords:

jealousy | revenge | letter | flashback | memory | 

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Taglines:

Unravel the Truth.

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Genres:

Drama | Mystery

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for thematic elements, a violent image, sexuality and brief strong language

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [Japan] Official site [UK]

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 March 2017 (USA)

Also Known As:

Cam Giac Khi Ket Thuc

Filming Locations:

London, England, UK

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$39,692, 12 March 2017, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$1,235,432, 31 March 2017

Company Credits

Production Co:

Origin Pictures,BBC Films,CBS Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

108 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Matthew Goode and Michelle Dockery both appeared in Downton Abbey, which itself is also mentioned at the pub with Adrien Jr.'s group.

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Goofs

At the dinner scene set in the 1960s Sarah Ford (Emily Mortimer) quotes from Larkin's poem Aubade. This poem was not published until December 1977.

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Quotes

[First lines]
Tony Webster: [Voice over] I'm not very interested in my school days and feel no special nostalgia for them. But I remember sixth form.

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Connections

Referenced in Adelaide's Silver Screens (2017)

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Soundtracks

Oh Come Back Baby
Written by Zell Sanders (as Zelma Sanders)
Performed by Ada Ray
Published byby Resnik Music Group administered by Bucks Music Group Limited
Licensed courtesy of Ace Records Ltd

User Reviews

Fine, moving adaptation of one of Barnes' best novels

After somewhat iffy reviews and some discouraging interviews I was really pleased by this movie. The novel has great depth and touches on weighty topics, leaving certain unresolved issues in its wake. Payne (scriptwriter) and Batra take on a very challenging job and with the help of a stellar cast they make as good an adaptation as anyone could reasonably expect. Broadbent is magnificent as the male lead and all the female ones are excellent. The cinematography is outstanding with some exterior shots that take your breath away, indeed Batra lingers on them a bit too long, though one can see why!

There is a good deal to admire. The interweaving of past and present is highly skilled, the recreation of sixties milieus authentic. The school scenes rang true - I went to an all boys grammar school in the sixties and they get it right with the exception of the swearing. Incredible as it may seem to some people, swearing was unusual fifty years ago. I loved the way the painful weekend at Chislehurst - central to the mystery - was handled.

There were a few lapses of judgement and taste but overall I would rate this as one of the best movies I have seen in the past year. It deserves awards.