Living: A movie review by Alex First
The expressive question “you call that living?” may well be asked of the chief protagonist in the movie Living.
We’re in London in the 1950s and Mr Williams (Bill Nighy) heads up Public Works at County Hall.
Honourable and respected, he and his staff travel by train to work each day – although not in the same carriage – dressed to the nines (bowler hat and immaculately turned-out suits).
In his department is seemingly perpetually cheerful Margaret Harris (Aimee Lou Wood).
Single, she lives with her cousin and after 16 months in Public Works with Mr Williams and her colleagues she is in line for another, decidedly different job – at a restaurant.
Among others is Mr Williams’ equally dour second in charge, Middleton (Adrian Rawlins).
Joining the Public Works’ team – a young man we encounter on his first day – is Peter Wakeling (Alex Sharp), who quickly learns that humour isn’t appreciated in the early hours.
It is soon clear that he fancies Miss Harris.
The department has a mountain of paperwork to get through and the tower of paper never seems to be worked down.
Then there’s the ongoing issue of red tape, where departments regularly play “pass the parcel”, without any outcome.
Although polite to a fault, and always on time, Mr Williams seems colourless. He doesn’t engage in idle conversation.
And then he receives devastating news, which changes his outlook.
It is news that he doesn’t share with his son Michael (Barney Fishwick) or daughter in law Fiona (Patsy Ferran), who live with him, but want to move to their own place.
Mr Williams takes extended leave, which includes an instinctive trip to the seaside, where he links up with a stranger, Sutherland (Tom Burke) who is having trouble sleeping.
With a fine attention to period detail, Living – written by Kazuo Ishiguro (The Remains of the Day) and directed by Oliver Hermanus – is a sensitive and affecting work.
It is a remake of the 1952 Japanese drama Ikiru by filmmaker Akira Kurosawa.
Everything about Living is polished. I speak of the script, the fine acting and direction, the music, sound and lighting.
The restraint is what helps give the movie its edge. Much is held back and yet the feelings are clear.
As mentioned, all are excellent in terms of performance, but I will single out a few, starting with the incomparable Nighy.
His demeanour and metamorphosis are equally impressive. There is a quiet dignity about him in the role and it is clear how he is able to positively impact those around him.
Aimee Lou Wood is intoxicating as the respectful, pleasant and joyful Miss Harris, whose joie de vivre is unmistakable.
Alex Sharp is a breath of fresh air as the newest employee, Peter Wakeling, who is eager to prove his worth and show his initiative and humanity.
Shot in traditional 4:3 TV aspect ratio, Living convincingly reflects on the importance of living a life of meaning through a historic lens.
It is a film that moves and captivates.
Rated M, it scores an 8 out of 10. Running time – 102 minutes –.
