HOW ABOUT YOU
Directed by Anthony Byrne
Produced by Noel Pearson
Written by Jean Pasley, based on a short story by Maeve Binchy
Released by Strand Releasing
UK. 90 min. Not Rated
With Hayley Atwell, Vanessa Redgrave, Joss Ackland, Brenda Fricker, Imelda Staunton, Orla Brady & Joan O’Hara
 

We’ve all heard about ageism in Hollywood—the emphasis on youthful stars for youthful audiences, the adulation of the new hot starlet, and the careers of those pretty young things that often seem to be over at age 30. But every year there seems to be at a British film featuring spunky, eccentric British seniors doing spunky, eccentric things, like posing nude for calendars, growing marijuana, or—shocking!—falling in love in their twilight years. And with a generation of famous, classically-trained British actors and actresses aging into gracious, grand Sirs and Dames, it’s easy to populate these films with breathtaking casts. In a few decades, we can undoubtedly expect to see an elegant, white-haired Keira Knightley and a dashing, silver-haired Ewan McGregor starring in an oldster romance where they will drink, do drugs, and swear in lovely rounded tones.

Here, pot is smoked, and there is a hint of romance, though no nudity. The younger generation, there to learn and give life lessons, is represented by Hayley Atwell. She plays Ellie, a willful free spirit who shows up on the doorstep of a residential home owned by her sister Kate (Orla Brady), looking for a free place to live and a job. Kate, older, more serious and responsible, is a bit reluctant at first to take on wild child Ellie, but in need of help, agrees to let Ellie be a maid at the home.

At first, her fears seem justified—Ellie stays out late, breaks rules, and does things like bake hashish cookies for a dying patient (scene-stealing Joan O’Hara). But the sisters manage to get on, and Ellie somewhat warms to her role as she becomes curious about the residents and their pasts. She gets her chance to find out all she wants about them—and how hard her sister’s job is—when at Christmas, Kate must rush home to take care of their sick mother, and leaves Ellie in charge of the home and the four residents who don’t have family to stay with for the holidays—a former chorus girl/actress (Vanessa Redgrave), a cranky, demanding judge (Joss Ackland), and two eccentric sisters (Brenda Fricker and Imelda Staunton).

At first, the forced family is a disaster—Ellie can’t deal with their pickiness, and they think she is doing everything wrong. Finally, though, they have it all out and come together for a grand Christmas celebration, where they realize they all mean something to each other. Alcohol is drunk, and here’s where they all bond over a joint. (Seriously, what is up with the British fascination with old people smoking pot? Does it go back to the opium trade in the Empire?) They’ve all learned to live again from Ellie, and she’s learned to not give up on living from them.

I hope you don’t mind the spoilers, but to be honest, it’s not like this is a movie where you can’t see all the plot points coming. It’s hard not to watch it and feel like you’ve seen this all before. However, that’s not to say that the film is without value—the home is on a gorgeous river, and there are many lovely shots of leaves falling, snow falling, tears falling. And it never hurts to see these actors at work, despite the hackneyed nature of their roles. It’s a pleasant enough little film that will touch some hearts while others roll their eyes. So if your Anglophile grandma wants to go see it, go along with an open heart, and you might find yourself warming to it a bit. Kirsten Anderson
November 14, 2008