Quigley Down Under (1990)
The Way (2010)
Sunshine On Leith (2013)
All We Had (2016)
Junior Bonner (1972)
Kipps (1941)
A Little Help (2010) ///
The Way (2010) Generous, wry and touching tale of strangers who find unexpected friendship and quiet revelations on a pilgrimage route in Spain. Simple, unfussy visuals and leisurely pacing allow the characters room and the emotions to build. Martin Sheen leads the personable cast.
Sunshine On Leith (2013) Though The Proclaimers' songs often feel shoehorned into a basic structure and characters that never develop beyond narrative stereotypes, there's a charm and energy that's winning, especially an exuberant finale. Colourful style matches engaging performances.
All We Had (2016) Facing demons of poverty and alcoholism, a desperate Katie Holmes attempts to look after her teenage daughter even as future dreams are crushed by the financial crisis. Carefully made, if lacking tension, glimmers of light draw us into the characters' lives.
Junior Bonner (1972) A languid, genial and typically rough-hewn Sam Peckinpah look at the end of the cowboy with a wearily charismatic Steve McQueen determined to best the rodeo bull. Robert Preston, Ben Johnson and Ida Lupino provide fine support amid memories of dust and sweat.
Kipps (1941) Frothy mix of gentle humour and sly social satire, a delightfully designed and visualized production with Michael Redgrave's appealing draper's clerk looking to improve himself. Some lively set pieces aside, the narrative tends to drift. Always enjoyable without being memorable.
A Little Help (2010) A convincing, relatable Jenna Fischer feels life spinning out after deceitful husband Chris O'Donnell dies and family and societal criticism squeezes in. The story tends to trowel on misfortune, leavened by caustic humor as she gradually emerges from the shadows.
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