245. The Unlikely Pilgrimage Of Harold Fry; movie review

 

THE UNLIKELY PILGRIMAGE OF HAROLD FRY

Cert 12A

104 mins

BBFC advice: Contains infrequent strong language, drug misuse, suicide, moderate sex references

Hold on, haven't I seen this before?

Oh, no.. I was mixed up with the cinematic trek across Britain by a sentimental pensioner, played by Timothy Spall, in Last Bus.

This time we have Jim Broadbent as an old fella walking the length of England to assuage his guilt for a moment of shame.

Broadbent is Harold Fry, an unremarkable man in a long loveless marriage to a mithering wife (Penelope Wilton).

Out of the blue he receives a letter from a former work colleague to say she is dying.

He writes a response and goes out to post it but keeps on walking and walking and walking... all the way from Devon to Northumberland.

Along the way, he meets interesting folk, suffers nasty injuries to his feet and legs and completely bamboozles his wife.

I am a big admirer of Broadbent - he has a great range and his characters always draw in their audience.

This is no exception. Harold is just an ordinary guy but we were soon falling for him and his mission.

He offers pathos, decency and a back story which unfolds very gradually but will pull hard at heartstrings.

I certainly had a lump in my throat by the conclusion of Hettie Macdonald's film which may be quiet but benefits from quality writing and inspired acting.

The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry is a film that evokes a range of emotions. Here's a breakdown of what you might encounter:

**Heartwarming and Poignant:**

* The story centers on an elderly man, Harold, embarking on a long walk to visit his dying friend Queenie. It's a testament to the power of friendship and the lengths we go to for loved ones.  Expect a heartwarming journey of self-discovery and reconciliation.

* Jim Broadbent delivers a nuanced performance portraying Harold's quiet determination and transformation.  Get ready for some tender moments.

**Potential Drawbacks:**

* Some might find the premise a bit sentimental, especially with the title.  If overly sweet stories aren't your cup of tea, this might not be the best fit. 

* Reviews mention the film being a slow burn, building gradually. If you crave fast-paced action, this might feel uneventful.

Overall, The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry is a film that explores themes of grief, regret, and the importance of seizing the moment. It might make you shed a tear or two, but it will likely leave you with a sense of hope and reflection.

 

Here are some additional points to consider:

* This is a 2023 film adaptation of a bestselling novel by Rachel Joyce from 2012. 

* If you enjoy the movie, you might want to check out the book for a deeper dive into the story.

Would you like to know more about the critical reception or the film's plot? 

Reasons to watch: Broadbent draws us in.

Reasons to avoid: Overly sentimental

Laughs: Two

Jumps: None

Vomit: None

Nudity: None

Overall rating: 7/10

Did you know? The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry is a novel by Rachel Joyce, published in 2012. Joyce's first novel, it was a long-list finalist for the 2012 Man Booker Prize and Joyce won the UK National Book Award for New Writer of the Year.

Did you know? Rachel Joyce: "When I started work on the screenplay of The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, I was clear about two things: I wanted to write a film with no flashbacks, and I wanted to add new material. What I finally handed in after many drafts and months - if not years - of work, was a screenplay with flashbacks. And my new material ended up where it deserved to be: on the floor of the edit suite." Penguin

Lokasi:

Berbagi :