Long haul flights take their toll but when the airline you fly with has a good selection of new release movies not only does the time pass quickly but you can catch up on those movies you haven’t got to see but meant too. I watched a ridiculous number of movies on a couple of flights recently and I reviewed a few for you this month with some others still to come.
Richie Jenkins was a son of an alcoholic Welsh coal miner living in a port in Wales. He lost his mother as an infant and was predominately raised by his older sister and appeared to be on a trajectory to nowhere much at all. Teacher Philip Burton saw potential and intervened transforming young Richie Jenkins into one of the world’s most famous actors, and Wales’ greatest star Richard Burton. Directed by Marc Evans and starring Toby Jones , (remember him from Mr Bates vs The Post Office), Lesley Manville and Harry Lawtey this is a beautiful biography offering insight into the complex character that we know as Richard Burton. The film’s focus is on teacher and mentor Philip Burton and Richard’s early years as Elizabeth Taylor was quoted, “without Mr Burton there would be no Richard Burton”. Uplifting, heartwarming beautifully acted and written, there may be a tear or two shed. Watch for the scene in the pub when a significant amount of money is exchanged between Mr Jenkins and Mr Burton and Jenkins remarks, “ I have nine more at home”, that simple line was delivered with absolute mastery and bought me undone. Go and see this one.
Quirky but so very enjoyable. Eccentric lottery winner Charles Heath lives alone on a remote island and decides to make his fantasy real by inviting his favourite musicians to come and perform on his island. Tim Key delivers an acting masterclass as Charles Heath, loveable, annoying and strange while beautifully balanced by Tom Basden as Herb McGwyer part of the famed folk duo Mortimer and McGwyer. Of course, Mortimer and McGwyer have long since gone their separate ways both musically and romantically so a reunion on a remote island that one is not aware that the other is attending is problematic. The clever, gentle character reveals are balanced with developing relationships between the characters and make this movie a winner. The wonderful Amanda played Sian Clifford, local storekeeper who had me laughing hysterically as she endeavours to meet the demands of the island visitors, “Reece’s Peanut Butter cups? Hmm we have peanut butter and we have cups”, as she sells a jar of peanut butter and a coffee mug to Amanda. The ferry timetable is also so very funny. Another movie to add to your must see list.
There has been a lot of controversy around the story of this movie based on the book by Raynor Winn, a best seller supposedly based on a true story but with many questions raised about the validity of the claims in the book. Whilst I tried to leave all that aside, I think it may have impacted a bit on my opinion of the movie, which is a shame as it is a good story, and I really enjoyed Gillian Anderson’s performance.
An older couple, Ray and Moth, lose their home, their savings and find out that one of them has a terminal illness. They set out on a year long trek, not a go find yourselves type scenario but because they are homeless and basically have no other choice so they walk along the salt path a 630 mile trail that follows the English coastline from Dorset to Somerset.
It’s a scenic ramble around some lovely country side with people learning about themselves along the way as they encounter kindness from strangers, difficulties, address challenges and learn about themselves and each other. Not dissimilar form other trekking and walking movies but life affirming if not overly original. Worth a look but not a must see.
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