Last night saw us at another Cineworld Unlimited Screening, this time with a chance to have an early review screening of Allelujah the new movie starring a stellar cast including Jennifer Saunders, Derek Jacobi and Judi Dench.
Now before I start my review I have to say that I wasn’t aware that the movie is based on the play of the same name by Alan Bennett, but after seeing this movie adaptation of Allelujah it certainly has that Bennett feel.
I went into the Unlimited Screening not 100% sure about the movie and was expecting something of a quint essential British comedy, but I wasn’t pleasantly surprised with the drama aspect along with the comedy and the brilliant performances from Jennifer Saunders and many more of the ageing cast that brings the play to the big screen.
The story follows the patients in the geriatric ward at the Bethlehem Hosptial in Yorkshire, as the hospital is threatened with closure, the hospital sets about fighting back to keep open and for the patients to stay in the community rather than travel miles and miles from home for treatments.
A film crew coming to the hospital to film preparations for a concert in honour of the hospital’s most distinguished nurse who is brilliantly played by Jennifer Saunders, as the proceedings move closer we meet some fantastic characters that are in the ward, many of which a lot of us will have some connection with, especially those of us that have a family member that may be on the brink of dementia.
There are some wonderful comedic moments from the patients as they chat with the film crew about their past etc. But there are also some heart-wrenching moments, such as a patient, wonderfully played by Julia McKenzie being brought in by her daughter and son-in-law who have their own reasons for wanting her to stay alive, all I can say is they are only interested in one thing and it’s not her welfare!
David Bradley brings is a great performance as Joe Colman, as he not only struggles with his loss of memory but also tries to stay connected with his son Colin played by Russell Tovey. Look out for some movie scenes with Bradley and Tovey.
Behind the story of the hospital trying to stay open, there is a more sinister side that I really wasn’t expecting after seeing the trailer for Allelujah and I have to say that it did take me by surprise, making me feel angry with a character and sorry for those that are in the Bethlehem Hospital, but I’m not going to go into what it is as it is a bit of spoiler for this that haven’t seen the play or the movie.
Director Richard Eyre has brought us an interesting movie that certainly opens your eyes to the later years of life and what people are going through, Allelujah also brings us up to date with the pandemic and Dr Valentine (Bally Gill) certainly gives us a scene that will touch many that have lost people to the Covid-19 Pandemic.
All the cast including Jennifer Saunders, Bally Gill, Russell Tovey, David Bradley, Derek Jacobi and Judi Dench put on great performances, also keep your eyes peeled for Louis Ashbourne Serkis (yes the son of Andy Serkis), this isn’t going to be a movie that everyone will enjoy and maybe it is more for a certain ages group, which I think I may be now that I’m getting older. But it may be a film that you may want to check out for something a little different when it opens in UK cinemas on March 17th.
Jennifer Saunders brings us a Fantastic Performance
Movie title: Allelujah
Movie description: The story of a geriatric ward in a small Yorkshire hospital threatened with closure.
Date published: March 8, 2023
Country: UK
Duration: 1h 39m
Director(s): Richard Eyre
Actor(s): Jennifer Saunders, Judi Dench, David Bradley
Genre: Drama
Summary
A somewhat heart-warming drama that has a twist!
Karen Woodham is the founder and owner of the Blazing Minds. She is also a Cinema reviewer and works with RealD 3D reviewing the latest 3D releases and IMAX, she has also had several articles published in various publications including the first edition of SFW Magazine. In 2015 she became an Award Winning Blogger and also has her website listed as one of the UK’s Top 10 Film Blogs.
