ART HOUSE OFFERINGS: On A Clear Day
ON A CLEAR DAY (2006)
My Rating: **** (out of *****)
Starring: Peter Mullan, Brenda Blethyn, Sean McGinley, Jamie Sives, Billy Boyd, Ron Cook, Jodhi May, Benedict Wong
Director: Gaby Dellal
My Review:
There’s absolutely nothing in the plot of On A Clear Day – a warm-hearted Scottish comedy-drama – that hasn’t been seen before, and many times over at that. The down-and-out hero, the quirky group of friends, the impossible mission, the hours and hours of training, the strained relationships that need mending… they’re all about as “done” as an overcooked meat loaf. So, it’s no small wonder that first-time director Gaby Dellal manages to take a completely unoriginal story and, with the deft help of screenwriter Alex Rose and a top-notch group of character actors, turn it into one of the most ingratiating motion pictures in years.
Frank (Peter Mullan, pitch-perfect as always) is having a midlife crisis. He’s just lost his job at the shipyard, and his relationship with his adult son Rob (Sives) is strained to the point of breaking. Frank’s loving wife Joan (Brenda Blethyn) doesn’t know what to do with him, but the fact that she’s secretly training to become a bus driver doesn’t seem to be helping things. Things take a sharp turn when, at a random comment from his friend Danny (of the aforementioned group of quirky pals), Frank takes it upon himself to swim the English Channel. His friends agree to help with training, but Frank keeps his intentions hidden from his wife and son. In the process, each member of this ragtag ensemble learns a thing or two about determination, truth, forgiveness, and most of all, courage. Of course, everything must be faced in the end, including a mysterious tragedy that seems to be at the root of Frank and Rob’s estrangement.
At first, the editing in On A Clear Day is a bit clunky, and, combined with the sometimes edgy cinematography, the film feels almost uneasy and jumpy. After about 20 minutes, it settles comfortably into formula, and from there on out, jets smoothly and effectively on its way. The Scottish locales and dry, understated sense of humor go a long away in helping the familiar seem fresh, and as mentioned, director Dellal hits all the right notes of drama, pathos, humor, and inspiration. But it is ultimately the cast that makes this film soar. The friends – Boyd, McGinley, Wong, and Cook – are impeccable, Sives is moving as the frustrated Rob, and Blethyn remains her perky, radiant self as the bewildered Joan. But it is Mullan who holds this picture in place. He flawlessly captures the heartbreak, anger, self-hatred, and hope that seem to swirl around inside Frank in a way that appears effortless. His performance is one to cherish.
This is a “feel good” movie that you can feel good about giving yourself to. After a shaky start, it becomes clear that Dellal knows what she’s doing, making us perfectly willing to place ourselves in her more than capable hands. While not as stellar as last year’s Scottish gem Dear Frankie, On A Clear Day easily ranks as one of the year’s best so far. It deserves to be seen and delighted in.
My Rating: **** (out of *****)
Starring: Peter Mullan, Brenda Blethyn, Sean McGinley, Jamie Sives, Billy Boyd, Ron Cook, Jodhi May, Benedict Wong
Director: Gaby Dellal
My Review:
There’s absolutely nothing in the plot of On A Clear Day – a warm-hearted Scottish comedy-drama – that hasn’t been seen before, and many times over at that. The down-and-out hero, the quirky group of friends, the impossible mission, the hours and hours of training, the strained relationships that need mending… they’re all about as “done” as an overcooked meat loaf. So, it’s no small wonder that first-time director Gaby Dellal manages to take a completely unoriginal story and, with the deft help of screenwriter Alex Rose and a top-notch group of character actors, turn it into one of the most ingratiating motion pictures in years.
Frank (Peter Mullan, pitch-perfect as always) is having a midlife crisis. He’s just lost his job at the shipyard, and his relationship with his adult son Rob (Sives) is strained to the point of breaking. Frank’s loving wife Joan (Brenda Blethyn) doesn’t know what to do with him, but the fact that she’s secretly training to become a bus driver doesn’t seem to be helping things. Things take a sharp turn when, at a random comment from his friend Danny (of the aforementioned group of quirky pals), Frank takes it upon himself to swim the English Channel. His friends agree to help with training, but Frank keeps his intentions hidden from his wife and son. In the process, each member of this ragtag ensemble learns a thing or two about determination, truth, forgiveness, and most of all, courage. Of course, everything must be faced in the end, including a mysterious tragedy that seems to be at the root of Frank and Rob’s estrangement.
At first, the editing in On A Clear Day is a bit clunky, and, combined with the sometimes edgy cinematography, the film feels almost uneasy and jumpy. After about 20 minutes, it settles comfortably into formula, and from there on out, jets smoothly and effectively on its way. The Scottish locales and dry, understated sense of humor go a long away in helping the familiar seem fresh, and as mentioned, director Dellal hits all the right notes of drama, pathos, humor, and inspiration. But it is ultimately the cast that makes this film soar. The friends – Boyd, McGinley, Wong, and Cook – are impeccable, Sives is moving as the frustrated Rob, and Blethyn remains her perky, radiant self as the bewildered Joan. But it is Mullan who holds this picture in place. He flawlessly captures the heartbreak, anger, self-hatred, and hope that seem to swirl around inside Frank in a way that appears effortless. His performance is one to cherish.
This is a “feel good” movie that you can feel good about giving yourself to. After a shaky start, it becomes clear that Dellal knows what she’s doing, making us perfectly willing to place ourselves in her more than capable hands. While not as stellar as last year’s Scottish gem Dear Frankie, On A Clear Day easily ranks as one of the year’s best so far. It deserves to be seen and delighted in.
PG-13, for some language including crude sexual references, thematic elements, and brief partial nudity
posted by Drew Miller at
6:44 PM
2 Comments:
Love your new postings. Glad you're doing this more regularly as it really is such a natural gift for you, having insight into story and film, as well as to write and present yourself in an incredible way.
You should still see "Squid and the Whale" - a very insightful film, "Thumbsucker" (some great moments & message despite imperfections, namely: Keanu) and the wonderful "Hustle and Flow".
Oh, the "Romance & Cigarettes" movie was GREAT! The first and only showing of it in the US. And we got to see John Turturro who did a half hour Q&A afterwards - Dan even asked him a question. Coen Bros. produced & he directed. It was fun to see him & Tilda close up and hear them talk about film. Inspiring. Wish you could have been there. I'll tell you more about it later. Also,"Six Feet Under" is getting so profound. Lots of junk to wade through but some of the most real, insightful, heavy, powerful material I've seen anyone deal with in any film EVER - certainly far more than any show. It's really stirring. Family, secrets, habits, commitment, putting on 'a good face', death and our fears about it, faith... all addressed regularly on the show. Dan and I are blown away but it often.
12:34 PM
PS - Meant to also say I wanted to see "On a Clear Day". Thought it looked good.
12:35 PM
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