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One for the road

At the end of a stressful day pop into your local and enjoy the good company of old friends, a trusty pint or two and this film. You will not be blown away by computer generated action sequences; there are no Depp-type swordfights or g-string silicon-implanted beach babes. This is old fashioned acting. Furthermore it is very British-people gently make mistakes in their lives, things are left unsaid and secrets repressed. The story is a simple journey and along the way there are detours and cul-de-sacs of every kind. The heavyweights (Caine and Hoskins) are good but I particularly enjoyed David Hemmings' performance as an old boxer intent on stirring things up and causing friction. RIP. Also great to see Strood appear in a film! So raise a glass, sit back and savour.

Four working-class Brits, bound by years of friendship, unites some of England's finest actors in a powerful and deeply moving ensemble production. Michael Caine stars as Jack Dodd, the charismatic leader of the group, whose death and last wishes sends his friends on a nostalgic journey from London to Margate to scatter Jack's ashes in the sea. After forty years of warming the seats at their favourite pub, long-time friends and WWII veterans Ray (Bob Hoskins), Lenny (David Hemmings), and Vic (Tom Courtenay) are forced to face the loss of one of their own as they make the "epic" journey accompanied by Jack's flashy, prodigal son Vince (Ray Winstone). Noticeably absent from the group is Jack's long-suffering widow Amy (Helen Mirren), who travels to visit her autistic daughter instead of accompanying her husband's ashes, in a painful journey of her own which sheds light on her complex relationship with Jack. As the four men make their way to Margate, going from pub to pub, they reflect on a lifetime of memories of Jack, which are recreated in a series of multi-layered flashbacks that explore the delicate interweaving of their friendships; full of secrets, resentments, and deeply rooted loyalty. Very enjoyable.