In 1950s London, a humorless bureaucrat decides to take time off work to experience life after receiving a grim diagnosis.In 1950s London, a humorless bureaucrat decides to take time off work to experience life after receiving a grim diagnosis.In 1950s London, a humorless bureaucrat decides to take time off work to experience life after receiving a grim diagnosis.
- Nominated for 2 Oscars
- 10 wins & 49 nominations total
John Mackay
- Jones
- (as John MacKay)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe production designers went to a great deal of trouble to make this film look like it was made in the era it was set, including avoiding quick edits, softening the colour palette and using a relevant font for the film credits.
- GoofsIf you leave Waterloo Station to walk to the Greater London County Council (GLCC) you don't walk across Westminster bridge. They're on the same side South Bank.
- ConnectionsFeatured in EE BAFTA Film Awards (2023)
- SoundtracksTempo di Valse
Written by Antonín Dvorák
Performed by Berliner Philharmoniker, Herbert von Karajan
Courtesy of Deutsche Grammophon GmbH
Under licence from Universal Music Operations Ltd
Featured review
Now I am not usually a particular fan of Bill Nighy but in this he is very much at the top of his game. An adaptation of Kurosawa's "Ikuru" (1952), the setting is shifted to London where Nighy is the fastidious "Mr. Williams". A local civil servant heading up the public works department of the London County Council. His small team has some new blood in the form of "Mr. Wakeling" (Alex Sharp) whose baptism in the department is to accompany three ladies (and the audience) on a revelative journey through the pillar-to-post red tape that "Williams" himself facilitates - all guaranteeing that very little actually ever gets done! Leaving early one day, we discover that this erstwhile precise and predictable individual is seriously ill. Unable and/or unwilling to divulge this information to his son, he absconds to the seaside where he encounters "Sutherland" (Tom Burke) who gives him a relaxing tour of the local hotspots before he return to London and happens upon one of his team "Miss Harris" (Aimee Lou Wood). A posh luncheon ensues and the elderly gent and his young colleague start to bond. This bond soon has - unbeknown either of them - tongues wagging, but when she gets a new job he finds himself drawn to her. Drawn to her joie de vivre and general enthusiasm for a life he knows he will not have for too much longer. That becomes contagious as he decides to apply himself, and his team, to achieving at least one more thing in a professional capacity! It is a gently paced and evocative story that deals with that sense of re-prioritisation faced by anyone when faced with a profound change in circumstances. Nighy has a delightfully understated manner to his performance here, Wood is also effective as his increasingly valuable confidente and Oliver Hermanus manages to retain much of the charm and gently potent impetus of the original Ishiguro story. It is beautifully scored by Emilie Levienaise-Farrouch who incorporates original and powerful themes with established classical ones. The costumes and overall aesthetic of the film complements well the classy and impressive performances that resonated in quite a thought-provoking, and multi-layered fashion as I watched it. I was engaged by this from start to finish and I really quite enjoyed it.
- CinemaSerf
- Nov 4, 2022
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Details
- Release date
- Countries of origin
- Official sites
- Language
- Also known as
- Жити
- Filming locations
- Worthing, West Sussex, England, UK(conversation in the Lido Cafe between Mr. Williams and Sutherland)
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Gross US & Canada
- $3,038,113
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $22,784
- Dec 25, 2022
- Gross worldwide
- $12,377,310
- Runtime1 hour 42 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.48 : 1
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