Have seen this movie 3 times now and always find something new about it. For Jane Seymour, this is one of the largest roles I have seen for her in many years and yes- it is dramatic! Nothing cougar about her role! She gets to play a wide range of emotions and most of it is pretty heart-breaking! There is nothing glamorous either. Most of the film, she is distraught, forlorn, and broken. The chemistry she has with Malcolm is wonderful. It's so tragic to know that after 40 years of marriage, her husband has not only been keeping a secret, but he has left her out of his life. She is full of despair and just does not understand why this is all happening. (Jane fans will love seeing her play drunk!)
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Malcolm McDowell is absolutely phenomenal! His scenes with Jane and with Keith Carradine are intense and mesmerizing. With their scenes, you laugh and you cry. There is one scene alone between Malcolm and Keith that could be used in master acting workshops. It is that great! Malcolm's role is very meaty and even when his character was being nasty to his wife and he was being a curmudgeon, I was feeling endeared towards his character. That's difficult for an actor to be loved and disliked at the same time and Malcolm was brilliant. Keith Carradine never disappoints either! His character was quite the character and offered intensity and comic relief.
Do not want to give anything away but the supporting cast, namely Vinessa Shaw (Penelope) and Mike Doyle (Steve) as their children delivered extraordinary performances as well as Christine Kelly (Lauren)- a stranger Garvey meets in the park. Her character is just lovely- inside and out. All of the adults give fine performances and round out the cast but I must focus on Rachel Eggleston (Cleo), Garvey and Evelyn's granddaughter. This little girl is a star in the making. She really captures your heart and is a natural! The scenes with her and her grandfather alone are so touching and they show the good side of Garvey. Look for her in the future!
The film was written and directed by Evangelos and George Giovanis. Malcolm truly believed in this and he gave the script to Jane and she gave it to Keith. Jane said she was immediately moved when she first read the script and felt that it had to be made. It's a great showcase for actors!
