ROMANTIC ROAD
UK, 2017, 82 minutes, Colour.
Rupert and Jan Grey.
Directed by Oliver Mc Garvey.
Is “grey nomads� the title that applies to older travellers as they drive around the countryside, enjoying retirement, getting to know their world better, making friends with similar nomads that they meet in their journeys a title used around the world? Are their British grey nomads.
The title for this grey nomad adventure is Romantic Road. That seems to be an understatement title. It certainly is the story of her husband and wife who get on very well together, she supporting her husband in his ambitious travels, his risk-taking. They have had a long time romance, over three decades. But, romantic isn’t exactly the word that describes where they go, what they experience, the rough terain that they travel through, tough times, mechanical difficulties as well as bureaucratic barriers.
Our travellers are, literally, Grey nomads.
This is a story of Rupert and Jan Grey, he a London lawyer. His father served in World War II in India and so he has affinity with the subcontinent. And his father bought a Rolls-Royce? in 1959, not only still-going, but the star of this trip. And, it is a Rolls- Royce - and Rolls- Royce advertising and publicity will definitely be pleased with how their vehicle stands up after more than 50 years!
The travels are in India, in 2013. Northern India. Starting from Mumbai, North to Jodhpur, but across the top to Nepal and views, of course, of the Himalayas. But, in fact, the destination is Bangladesh, a photography festival in Dhaka because Rupert Grey is an enthusiastic photographer and has good contacts in Bangladesh. (Actually, towards the end of the film, despite preparatory visits to the country, he comes up against the sometimes nit-picking bureaucratic tangles about whether he can bring his Rolls across the border – and whether he can drive out and back into India.)
We are nicely introduced to Rupert and Jan, testimonies from their daughters, from many of their friends, touches of admiration, and many touches of humour. And we share in the preparations, studying the maps, contacts with the photography festival, making sure that the Rolls is in top working order (spoiler, not always).
Of course, the film serves as an enjoyable travelogue, many telling vistas of Mumbai, the northern desert and the city of Jodhpur, the atmosphere at Katmandu, the mountainous and winding roads leading south, the coastal areas of Bangladesh and into the city of Dhaka and, on the way home, a visit to Kolkota and, Bangalore. For those who enjoy travelogues, plenty to see and to relish.
But this is a story of an older couple, their bonding with each other, their sharing this adventure, and enterprise, and achievement.
And the film has a great deal of appeal to a wide audience, but especially to international grey nomads.
