The Vernon Film Society is back to its regular schedule of films after its successful International Film Festival.
Showing Monday is the latest British-made film directed by Mike Leigh, auteur of such classics as Secrets and Lies, Vera Drake, and Happy-Go-Lucky.
At first glance, Another Year is a gentle story of a year in the life of a contented couple whose life centres around their family, friends and “allotment” (garden) as they journey towards retirement.
They act almost as a magnet for lost and damaged souls: Tom’s (Jim Broadbent) old mate, Ken (Peter Wright), is an overweight boozer with unsolved issues, and Mary (Lesley Manville) is a lonely divorcée.
Critics are divided when discussing the couple’s relationship with Mary, although all agree in saying Manville’s performance is Oscar worthy.
The film poses many questions: Is Mary’s affection for Gerri (Ruth Sheen) and Tom’s family healthy, and are they as nice as they seem, or are they subtly complacent and self satisfied?
Do they have a feeling of superiority when dealing with these lost souls?
Peter Bradshaw, critic for The Guardian newspaper concludes: “They are adults who treat their friends as adults, no matter how damaged they appear to be: adults who must make their own decisions.”
This ensemble film promises to be a thought-provoking one that will appeal to those who look forward to seeing another movie directed by a master of the craft, and a film with a lot of humor as well as a measure of sadness.
Another Year screens at the Towne Cinema Monday at 5:15 and 7:45 p.m. Tickets are $7, available at the Bean Scene and the Towne box office.
