Peneflix MOVIE REVIEWS BY PENEFLIX
A venerable couple, depicted tirelessly by Lesley Manville, “Stella” and Ciaran Hinds, “Gerry” whose marriage has been frozen in predictably for days, months, years. Directed by Polly Findlay this retired, bored, lackluster, Irish Catholic duo, take a hiatus in Amsterdam; searching for rejuvenation spurred by Stella’s religiosity; unaided by Gerry’s perpetual alcoholism. From the outset bleakness and doom prognosticate at every corner, in every museum, bar and restaurant; Stella’s life is informed by the Church, daily mass has done nothing to relieve the haunting trauma, promise made eons ago to a God who requited her prayers.
The film’s beleaguered pace becomes wearisome in her quest to find something, anything to replace the ennui smothering her empty, meaningless days in Belfast with the sodden love of her life, happily anesthetized by, in tandem with, his best buddy Guinness. Difficult to empathize with an intelligent woman whose had years to prepare for a hearty, healthy dotage; as a teacher a myriad of unnurtured vistas presented worlds to imbibe in, gobble in gust, belch in satiation.
THREE STARS!!!
Peneflix
