Film: The Last Journey

These two days, I'm thinking film - tonight, what came up was The Last Journey, about a couple of Swedish tv personalities who take the father of one of them on what is probably going to be his last trip, a road trip to France, which he's always loved. Showing in the Garden Cinema.

Nice to have a nice, late one - I could stay late at work, mosey into town when I felt like it - had plenty of time to eat beforehand, and as usual for here, headed for Nando's Holborn. He asked me where I'd like to sit.. there was quite a lot of space. Funnily enough - I didn't notice until I sat down - I picked Table 13.. perhaps that's why my wine was so delayed. When the food arrived, I asked after it - the server remarked that nobody had mentioned it to him, but he went to inquire.. soon after, my first server reappeared, drink in hand, massively apologetic. That was the only hitch though. Mind you, I'd arrived later than intended - terrible traffic on Kingsway again - so had no time for dessert, really.

A short walk brought me to the cinema, where I ran to the loo, then the bar - you can take drinks in with you, of course. Thereafter, I headed for one of the intimate booths:

I'd hardly settled myself, however, when the screen opened, so I took my glass and things in with me instead. I had the Vinho Verde - well wow, I don't know whether I had it before, but I don't remember it being so delicious! I'd bought my ticket when I arrived -  it wasn't selling out at all during the day, but I guess a lot of people had the same idea I did, and there seems to have been an evening rush - I booked the middle of Row B, which was the only empty row by that stage. By the time everyone had taken their seats, however, I was to discover that the row had filled up - the screen must have been nearly sold out, in the end!

And what a good choice we made. I wasn't sure about seeing it - thought it might be a bit mawkish, but was encouraged by an entertaining trailer. I have to say, for once, the trailer didn't do justice to the film - we see some footage of this popular teacher retiring, and I don't know how old that was, but by the time we meet him in the present day, he's very much diminished. It might have happened quite quickly - he was passionate about his work, and such people can find it hard to give it all up. Certainly, his wife has a lot more going on, and seems to have to do everything for them both - she complains about the cosy retirement she was looking forward to, and now look at him! He seems glued to his chair, never cooks any more - which he used to do all the time - never plays the guitar..

But his son, the tv presenter, has an idea - if he can only get him to relive all those family holidays to France, it might work miracles. So he goes to great effort - sources a car identical to the one they had, drags his co-presenter and a camera crew along, plans to return to the same place they always used to go to, and recreate as many old memories as possible. On one level, it's a great travelogue - something of a love letter to France, and a great advertisement for it.

His co-presenter is a bit dubious that the old man is up to all this - and sure enough, near the start, the trip is nearly scuppered entirely when he falls on his way to the toilet one night, in a strange hotel, lying on the floor for hours until he's found. He doesn't actually hurt himself too badly, but they keep him in hospital for a few days, and everyone decides that the best thing is to carry on, get the car to the French border, and fly him there when he's feeling better so he can have the experience of crossing the border in the car, as he used to do so often.

Old people shrink, they say - and he looks tiny in the car, beside the younger men. But they persevere, get him to the old apartment, round up as many old friends as they can find - and it is absolutely comical to see the lengths his son is prepared to go to. The old man, of course, doesn't always cooperate - and things come to a head when his son tries to get him cooking again. They shop for ingredients, fine - the old man tells him exactly what he wants to make his famous ratatouille. Back at the apartment though, the fact that he no longer has the strength in his hands to chop the vegetables is a revelation to his son, who gets really upset.

That's as uncomfortable as it gets, though - most of the things planned are really sweet, and do make an impression on the old man - and you do get the feeling that he really appreciates what they did, loved seeing old places and people again. A very, very heartwarming film, and I'm absolutely delighted I gave it a go! Not to mention it's a laugh riot - the whole audience was laughing throughout. Highly recommended.

Now, I have something of a tie on my film list, with three films on the same rating - what appeals most is The Way Way Back, a coming-of-age comedy about the summer of a teenage boy. Now, I'm not usually into coming-of-age films, but this does actually look funny - Toni Collette plays his mother, Steve Carell the manager of the theme park where they're holidaying, who becomes his mentor. Excellent actors, and it doesn't look twee. I did fully intend to see it when it came out, but just never got around to it. It's now in the Prince Charles, part of their Coming-of-Age Summer season. I haven't booked for it yet either, as they're not selling out - and while, if I do go to this, of course I'll want to eat in Bella Italia Cranbourn Street again, well, I don't think I'll have any trouble getting a table on a Tuesday!

Very excited about Wednesday - TAC is playing a blinder, with tickets for the Gala de Danza at Central Hall Westminster! This is billed as an extravaganza of music, dance, and art. Happily, how they're doing it is providing a code, which you then use to book your own ticket - as expensive as you like, you still get it for nothing but the admin fee! Eating beforehand at The Red Lion.

Thursday is looking like film again - delving into the group of three films, I think The Ballad of Wallis Island looks like the one: another comedy, in which an eccentric lottery winner, living alone on a small offshore island, hires his favourite artists to play a private concert for him. (If only..!) Thing is, the artists used to be a couple, and have since broken up, which adds to the fun - she's played by Carey Mulligan. I suppose I had to get around to it eventually - of course, all these films are subject to change, if ratings change, or I get a better offer. Still showing in Picturehouse Central.

Next two days are something of a Meetup extravaganza. On Friday, I'm back with Up in the Cheap Seats for Miss Myrtle's Garden, at the Bush Theatre. Eating beforehand at Shikumen Chinese restaurant.

Then on Saturday afternoon, I'm attending their summer social, at The Oxford Market. 

That should be finished in time to head over to the BFI, where The Hideout is seeing Videodrome, a body horror by David Cronenberg, that evening. Stars James Woods and Debbie Harry. Love a bit of Cronenberg.

On Sunday - the only day this month they could make it - I'm meeting Ivan and James (and possibly Martin) for our monthly social, and we've decided to try The Phoenix again.

And next Monday, back with London Classical Music and Theatre Group (London Baroque Music Lovers are also going, but I had to pick one - mind you, the same guy is organising) for the opening night of Handel's opera Semele, in the Royal Opera House. And of course, I would start seeing discount codes after I book.. Eating at Cote Covent Garden beforehand.