Directed by Dustin Hoffman
Starring Maggie Smith, Tom Courtenay, Billy Connolly, Pauline Collins, Michael Gambon, Sheridan Smith
While teenage girls are lapping up their latest Glee-like copy Pitch Perfect, perhaps there should be another film for the more refined audience.
And here it is. Dustin Hoffman, waving his hard-to-work-with reputation to the side and getting on with the crowd at BBC Films. Here he selects a few of the well established British actors and gives them a fuzzy ITV drama story.
Jean (Smith) is a new arrival at a retirement home for musicians. Because of her ongoing diva like attitude, she finds it difficult to settle. But not so much as Reginald (Courtenay) who finds her appearence a shock and distraction. Mainly because the two were married previously.
But as they find a way to move around the awkwardness, it turns out the retirement home is under threat of closure. It can be saved. However Jean will need to be convinced to join her ex-husband to sing at a gala event that can raise substantial funds.
Warm hearted from the beginning, funny lines from every member of the cast and a sorrowful look at the reality that eventually, we could all get old. The film is beautiful.
But it's Pauline Collins who gets the special mention. She's beautiful, charming and sweet as Cissy. Maggie Smith may have the guts but it's Collins who has the cushions. May she be noticed for this. By BAFTA at least.
4 out of 5
If you like this you should try
The Queen (2006)
