I'd never seen or heard of this before last night when it was shown on BBC2. Micheal Gambon is absolutely brilliant, but I think Wynter (Joe), really steals the show in a vibrant, yet understated performance. Great supporting cast too.
shareWatched this last night. Oh my, was this painful to see. I can wholeheartedly NOT recommend this movie. It is little more than random storytelling, none of which is particularly good.
shareJoe is the best character ever. Brilliant acting too.
I really enjoyed this.
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I agree Geordie. Wonderfully in depth work on all characters. For those that thought it a bit ho-hum, then I'm sorry that you could not see the complexities developed by each actor and joined into a thought provoking story by the director.
shareI agree, completely. These are not random stories; they are elements of a deftly interwoven script that displays its theme so subtly that even the viewer stands in the shoes of the characters. The whole film is about ethical dilemmas and the choices made when one is placed in a situation in which one has to decide whether to compromise one's ethical values or not-- from the smallest level of seemingly silly stuff ("should you pick up rubbish on a city street?") to the more troublesome but perhaps ordinary ethical dilemmas ("should you look the other way and allow a married politician to use your house for sexual liaisons?") to the largest and most dramatic levels of all (Graham's father's "country walk"). The viewer is making choices, too, as the film goes along. It is a splendid film. And its follow-up, Capturing Mary, is equally splendid if not moreso, where Maggie Smith gives maybe the performance of a lifetime.
Don't blame a film if you are unable to understand its theme, and for heaven's sake, don't advise others to miss these superb movies just because you can't see the depth in them.
I dont have much to add to this other than I really enjoyed it for the reasons noted by septimus. Great film, see it!
share"Don't blame a film if you are unable to understand its theme, and for heaven's sake, don't advise others to miss these superb movies just because you can't see the depth in them."
Truer words were never spoken.
Good movie. I really didn't think much of it but the undertones of the theme is what kept glued and looking forward to the next scene.
And an amazing job by Danny Lee Wynter. How can you make a socially retarded outcast the most encapsulating and endearing character of the entire film? The only ones that I have watched do the same are the Hollywood big names like Tom Hanks in Forest Gump or Dustin Hoffman in Rainman.
To Noir-82..... "A socially retarded outcast"???? A bit harsh don't you think?
He was autistic, however, sensitive, kind and may I add, a very sweet person who saw the sufferings of others AND their problems !! I would characterize that as a smart individual!!! We should all be so retarded!!!!
Perhaps you could learn something from this character??? I suggest viewing the film again and keep an open mind and try to put your bigotry behind you! Peace