In this era of casual relations, one night stands, quick partnering soon broken by separation, divorce as the standard, single parent homes, and all that seems to have replaced longevity in relationships, it is not surprising that Roger Goldby wrote and directed this little British film that deals with all these aspects - and yet leaves a window for redemption open. The film is well cast, stylishly acted, and while it can be a bit tedious at times (sort of the way life is tedious at times) it still manages to leave room for hope that real love can really happen.
Anna (Anne-Marie Duff) meets Stephen (Ralf Little) at the train station where the elderly Roger (Frank Finlay) is waiting for his wife. Though words don't really happen there is a chemistry that is evident. But the two part - Anna is divorced from Toby (Adrian Bower) and lives as a single parent with Charlie (Polly Rose McCarthy) and Stephen is living with Fiona (Christine Bottomley) in an emotionally flat line situation: Stephen spends his days working at a nursing home where he relates very strongly with his elderly patient Helen (Phyllida Law). Obviously something is missing in their lives.
Next door to Anna lives a couple - George (Rupert Graves) and Jem (Zoe Telford) with one son Joe (Finlay Kenny Tighe) - and Anna is in a sexual relationship with George despite her friendship with Jem. George and Jem are not at all happy: George's affair with Anna is the only glue that holds their marriage together. But Anna obsesses about Stephen (though she doesn't even know his name - his is just 'a lovely man') and when George decides to leave Jem for Anna, Anna confesses she does not love George and makes him return to his role as husband and father, and thanks to the love little Joe has for his Dad and family it looks as though that will last. Meanwhile Stephen confesses to Fiona that he doesn't love her (he is obsessing for the mysterious Anna) and in a series of events and changes and fantasies blended with circumstances and needs Anna and Stephen finally meet again at the train station - or do they???
It is that kind of harsh reality accompanied by loving fantasy that draws us into this very intelligent, distinctive film. The acting is top drawer and the photography and direction make the whole story work. Maybe there is a place of fate or destiny...it is nice to believe in that if only for the duration of a lovely little film.
Grady Harp
Anna (Anne-Marie Duff) meets Stephen (Ralf Little) at the train station where the elderly Roger (Frank Finlay) is waiting for his wife. Though words don't really happen there is a chemistry that is evident. But the two part - Anna is divorced from Toby (Adrian Bower) and lives as a single parent with Charlie (Polly Rose McCarthy) and Stephen is living with Fiona (Christine Bottomley) in an emotionally flat line situation: Stephen spends his days working at a nursing home where he relates very strongly with his elderly patient Helen (Phyllida Law). Obviously something is missing in their lives.
Next door to Anna lives a couple - George (Rupert Graves) and Jem (Zoe Telford) with one son Joe (Finlay Kenny Tighe) - and Anna is in a sexual relationship with George despite her friendship with Jem. George and Jem are not at all happy: George's affair with Anna is the only glue that holds their marriage together. But Anna obsesses about Stephen (though she doesn't even know his name - his is just 'a lovely man') and when George decides to leave Jem for Anna, Anna confesses she does not love George and makes him return to his role as husband and father, and thanks to the love little Joe has for his Dad and family it looks as though that will last. Meanwhile Stephen confesses to Fiona that he doesn't love her (he is obsessing for the mysterious Anna) and in a series of events and changes and fantasies blended with circumstances and needs Anna and Stephen finally meet again at the train station - or do they???
It is that kind of harsh reality accompanied by loving fantasy that draws us into this very intelligent, distinctive film. The acting is top drawer and the photography and direction make the whole story work. Maybe there is a place of fate or destiny...it is nice to believe in that if only for the duration of a lovely little film.
Grady Harp