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The sensitive and controversial story of romance across the generation gap. A recently widowed woman May (an astonishing Anne Reid) seduces and develops a close, passionate and complex relationship with her own daughter's lover (an irresistible, bearded Daniel Craig). Powerful, believable performances make this a terrific taboo-.. Read more
| Starring | Anne Reid, Daniel Craig, Steven Mackintosh, Cathryn Bradshaw |
|---|---|
| Director | Roger Michell |
| Genres | Drama |
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The sensitive and controversial story of romance across the generation gap. A recently widowed woman May (an astonishing Anne Reid) seduces and develops a close, passionate and complex relationship with her own daughter's lover (an irresistible, bearded Daniel Craig). Powerful, believable performances make this a terrific taboo-breaking love story from the director of NOTTING HILL.
| Starring | Anne Reid, Daniel Craig, Steven Mackintosh, Cathryn Bradshaw, Oliver Ford Davies |
|---|---|
| Director | Roger Michell |
| Studio | MOMENTUM PICTURES |
| Run time | DVD: 1 hr 47 mins |
| Certificate | |
| Genres | Drama |
| Language | English |
| Released | DVD: 24 May 2004 Production year: 2003 |
| Format | DVD |
Not since a 75-year-old Ruth Gordon swept death-fixated youngster Bud Cort off his feet in Harold and Maude has a film so affectionately addressed the controversial theme of autumn—spring romance. While visiting her children in West London, recently widowed grandmother May (the wonderful Anne Reid) gradually finds herself in lust with Darren (Daniel Craig), the much younger handyman renovating her son's house. Darren happens to be having an affair with Paula (Cathryn Bradshaw), May's daughter, but it's not long before May and Darren begin a sexual relationship of their own. Roger Michell's film thankfully avoids the pitfalls of its toy-boy premise, focusing on May's late dash for freedom and how love can exist outside of commonly accepted boundaries. This is truly a British movie that challenges taboos insightfully, and with great emotional maturity.
Effective domestic drama of the re-awakening of a woman in her 60s and an incisive account of modern family life, where a parent can be an unnecessary intrusion.
I attended a preview screening of this film and it?s the only film preview I've ever been to where more than half the audience walked out.
The ?story,? such as it is, concerns a bereaved grandmother who moves in with her daughter?s family and the complications which arise from her affair with a young feckless builder, who is also her other daughter?s lover! There is a lot of very explicit material, but who this might appeal to I can?t imagine.
The quality of the production is what you?d expect from a BBC 2 ?gritty? drama and the acting can?t be faulted, it?s the script that is the problem. If there was some sort of national scandal where a large percentage of grannies were in the habit of stealing their daughters boyfriends perhaps there would be a reason why this was made ? if there is such a trend, I?m blissfully unaware of it!
During the film there were many unintended laughs and even more groans from the audience - even after they thinned out. I have always had a policy of seeing a film through but this film came closest to making me leave before the end. See it at your own risk!
It would be easy to compare this film to the likes of 'The Graduate' - "Mrs Robinson" sprung to mind when I received it - however it is a surprisingly compelling film, if a little implausible. It drew me in - despite a street fair outside doing it's best to disturb me! The ending is rather innocuous, but doesn't leave you disappointed. Definitely worth a look.
Anthony Minghella's Civil war drama Cold Mountain is leading this year's Bafta award nominations. The film, directed by Brit Minghella and starring homegrown talent Jude Law, has received 13 nominations from the academy, including best film. The Lord of the Rings final instalment The Return of the King picked up 12 nominations. Girl With A Pearl Earring, starring Colin Firth and Scarlett Johansson, picked up 10 nominations. The UK equivalent of the Oscars announced the contenders for this year's Read more
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