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The Winter Guest
1997
A dense, filling slice-of-life set in a tiny snowbound Scottish burg, where four pairs of characters grapple with various aspects of human hardship. Thompson plays opposite Law, her actual mother, as a recently widowed photographer whose haze of grief has driven a wedge into their relationship. Rickman's directorial debut, .. Read more
| Starring | Phyllida Law, Emma Thompson, Sheila Reid, Sandra Voe |
|---|---|
| Director | Alan Rickman |
| Genres | Drama |
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The Winter Guest
A dense, filling slice-of-life set in a tiny snowbound Scottish burg, where four pairs of characters grapple with various aspects of human hardship. Thompson plays opposite Law, her actual mother, as a recently widowed photographer whose haze of grief has driven a wedge into their relationship. Rickman's directorial debut, adapted from the stage play by Sharman MacDonald.
| Starring | Phyllida Law, Emma Thompson, Sheila Reid, Sandra Voe, Arlene Cockburn, Gary Hollywood, Sean Biggerstaff, Douglas Murphy |
|---|---|
| Director | Alan Rickman |
| Studio | 4DVD |
| Run time | DVD: 1 hr 45 mins |
| Certificate | |
| Genres | Drama |
| Language | DVD: English |
| Subtitles | DVD: None |
| Released | DVD: 03 Dec 2001 Production year: 1997 |
| Format | DVD |
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Critics' reviews (6)
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This touching essay on emotions and surviving grief marked Alan Rickman's directorial debut. Emma Thompson stars as a mother who is unable to support and nurture her teenage son and is also blind to her own mother's ill health as she mourns the death of her husband. As family events unfold, Rickman introduces other elements from the isolated Scottish village setting: two old dears get their kicks out of going to funerals and two small boys play on the always-blustery beach. It's a brave attempt to open up the drama, but overall the film never quite escapes from its theatrical roots.
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"...Ravishing, resonant images.....What is most striking about Rickman's debut is his control of mood, delicately teasing out the metaphorical possibilities of freezing and ice..."
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Most helpful member's review
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9 out of 9 people found this review helpful
A day in the life ...
The Winter Guest is a solemn offering, performed in a staged manner, not surprising since four of the five principal female characters appeared in the stage play.
There is no real beginning or end to this movie; it is a snapshot of the lives of four pairs of characters on a cold day in Scotland.
It is reminiscent of Truly Madly Deeply, the power of grief and the serendipity of what a day can bring - mille feuille, romance and kittens or death, anger and despair.
Recommended for Michael Kamen's splendid piano score and the commonplace splendour of Elie and Pittenweem in the East Neuk of Fife. -
Most recent members' review
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6 out of 6 people found this review helpful
Beautiful!
I loved this!
Its not for everyone!
I loved the simplicity of the beautiful Scottish setting and film score, against the complicity of human feelings and emotions.
The wonderful Alan Rickman directed and wrote this screenplay, and it shows through. As we know he is a national stage treasure and he seems to of directed and wrote this from a stage perspective.
Anyway if you like 'delicate but powerful' get rid of your other half for the evening, nice bottle of wine, and enjoy! -
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A dense, filling slice-of-life set in a tiny snowbound Scottish burg, where four pairs of characters grapple with various aspects of human hardship. Thompson plays opposite Law, her actual mother, as ... -