Brenda Blethyn stars as Elsie, an elderly woman who is struggling after a fall and is not getting on with the carers that her son John (Jason Watkins) provides. But then she is befriended by Colleen (Andrea Riseborough), her neighbour.
With that high calibre cast and Paul Andrew Williams writing and directing, this has great pedigree. For the first three quarters at least, it was delivering on that promise. With both women giving brilliant performances, this is a devastating examination of loneliness and the dignity, or lack of it, of old age. When John is added to the mix during a rare visit to his mum, there is a deliciously uncomfortable scene. He keeps thanking Colleen but his eyes and his body language are saying something entirely different.
It was heading to be one of the best films of the year, and an honest take on unexpected friendship, even though there were brief glimpses of something darker, something sinister. A braver film maker would have left it at that, mere hints, whilst concentrating on two adrift people finding much needed companionship. But then the plot takes a dramatic turn and the subtlety and warmth disappears. It becomes far too melodramatic and unlikely for my taste.
I would still recommend this to others, but I would also call it disappointing, bearing in mind how great it could have been.
Rating: 7.5 out of 10