| A
family of sisters and their various menfolk have gathered for
the funeral of their mother in a village on the east coast of
Northumberland. The usual dignity is in short supply and what
unfolds is the blackly humorous and often painful, rediscovery
of a mother who none of them ever really respected, or even truly
knew. Skeletons come tumbling out of cupboards and fond delusions
are shot to pieces as each of the sisters, far from perfect lives,
are revealed. It becomes apparent that the mother they thought
they had left behind still runs through them, like wine through
water...
This moral tale
about the sins of the fathers (and mothers), with the strange
humour that only siblings can display to each other, reveals
once again the great skills of director Lewis Gilbert (who was
81 when filming started). Based on a stage play by renowned
playwright Shelagh Stephenson, and almost entirely shot on location
on the Isle of Man, "Before You Go" is one of the
best British films in years. Debbie Wiseman's score is haunting
and provides this beautifully made film an air of melancholy
(which it practically needed).
In addition to its great photography
and editing, this film is an actor's movie (as you can see by
the list of great players): Julie Walters is just as admirable
as always in her leading role, and so are Whalley, Hodge, Hamilton
and Cassidy. John Hannah and Tom Wilkinson have little to do
in their supporting roles (this is a woman's movie, too), yet
they are always convincing. The movie's newcomers, Jamie Sives,
André Schneider and Joanne Morley, are definitely worth watching,
although their scenes are cut quite short (and were entirely
deleted for the US release).
"Before You Go" is, although
described as a "black comedy" by its producer, Eoin
O'Callaghan, a psychological drama with a few bittersweet jokes
thrown in by its leading ladies. A sad story about wasted lives.
|
Siobhan Blenkinshop
Internet Movie Database
June
2002
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