Less than the sum of it’s magnificent parts

I won’t describe the plot here, this is more of a tonal piece, a meditation on loss, longing and what might have been.

There really isn’t any part of this film that I can criticise. Everything from the music, cinematography, script and acting are superb. Jamie Bell and Claire Foy in particular are both pitch perfect.

And yet it didn’t add up to anything for me. I kept thinking of other films that dealt with similar themes and felt this came up short in comparison. Aftersun dealt with loss and grief far better. And Skeletons was better at evoking that feeling of warmth that comes from dwelling on a nostalgic past.

The best thing I can say about this film is that it felt incredibly personal. Like the writer/director Andrew Haigh (who made the superb Lean on Pete) made exactly the film he wanted to make. Which is enough of a recommendation I think.

But sadly, it didn’t speak to me at all.