HECTOR

UK, 2015, 84 minutes, Colour.
Peter Mullan, Keith Allen, Natalie Gavin, Sarah Solemani, Ewen Stewart, Laurie Ventry, Stephen Tompkinson, Gina Mc Kee, Emily Barker.
Directed by Jake Gavin.

Hector is a brief British film, the story of an older man on the road. He is played by veteran Peter Mullan, always a strong screen presence, commanding our attention as Hector. There is a strong supporting cast of British character actors as well as the well-known Stephen Tompkinson and Gina Mc Kee. The score and songs were written by Emily Barker, quite a number of songs, and she appears as the first entertainer at the shelter.

Hector is a gruff man though with kindly streak, especially towards men and women on the road. The audience does not find out the reasons for Hector’s long absence from his family until the end.

The screenplay follows Hector getting his pension, cleaning himself up in public toilet areas, going for his pension, buying things at the shop, gifts for his friends, going to the doctor, the need for treatment, need for the operation, his going to London to celebrate Christmas as usual at a shelter, tracking down his brother-in-law but finding his sister won’t see him, trying to get information about his brother who finally finds him – and there is final explanation about what had happened to Hector and a reconciliation.

An interesting character study, portrait of a man on the road – and an opportunity to reflect on the lives of the homeless.

1. The title, the focus on Hector himself, his life, his background, on the road, his future? Peter Mullan and his screen presence in the role?

2. The locations, England and Liverpool and the details of London? Glasgow? The English countryside, the roads, truck and car lifts? The musical score, the range of songs by Emily Barker, her performance in the shelter, the male choir and Abide with Me?

3. A portrait of a homeless man? Life on the streets? Shelter and sleeping, cardboard covers? Washing in the toilet areas? Clothes, handouts? Getting the pension? Visits to doctors, treatment, no address and phone numbers? Friendly people at diners? Tossing down a church and the priest giving him a voucher for a meal? The London shelter for Christmas visitors?

4. Hector, his age, on the road for over a decade, separation from brother and sister, no communication? His tracking down his brother-in-law, the car salesman, the arguments, rejection by his sister? Trying to get information about his brother’s address, his brother finding him by going to shelters, the awkwardness of the first meeting, the becoming more friendly, going out for a meal, walking, bicycle ride? His brother contacting their sister, the meeting, Liz and her exasperation and puzzle? A reconciliation with his family?

5. The later revelation of what it happened, the death of his wife and daughter, the situation and the argument, the timing, Is Blaming himself? Talking with Peter and with Liz about this?

6. The range of people on the streets, Dougie and his being cranky, Hector kind to him, the farewell, discovering him dead? Hazel, her age, on the road, relying on Dougie and Hector, her grief at Dougie’s death and blaming herself, turning up in London, angry, the wounds on her face, Sarah finding her a place to stay?

7. The refuge in London, Hector and his annual visit, the old friends, Jimbo in the dormitory, catching up? The former seminarian, his drinking, quoting Scriptures, grace before meals, conducting the choir, falling, starting the fight? Ted, young, silent, yet bonding with Hector?

8. Sarah, the work at the refuge, understanding people, kind, going out of her way to help, a place for Hazel, reminiscing with Hector, looking forward to next year?

9. Hector, his moods, the kind woman at the diner giving him a meal, his exploiting her, getting him out?

10. Finally, Hector on the road again, going north, the lifts, his walking and the final classified his face?