ORDINARY LOVE
UK, 2019, 92 minutes, Colour.
Lesley Manville, Liam Neeson, David Wilmot, Amit Shah.
Directed by Lisa Barros D’ Sa, Glenn Leyburn.
Ordinary love can be found everywhere, but sometimes in great crises.
This is a story of a middle-aged husband-and-wife (who had the extra tragedy in the death of their young adult daughter), seen initially (and throughout the film as well as at the end) doing their daily exercise walk along the beachfront. They are Tom and Joan, very ordinary names. And they are played by Lesley Manville and Liam Neeson.
This is definitely a film that will speak to middle-aged women. It is definitely a film that will speak to middle-aged men. And, it can be said that it is a film that will speak to middle-aged couples.
We see Tom and Joan at home, their ordinary lives, memories of the past, sharing the ordinary domestic activities as meals, television, showers, going to sleep… But, in the shower, Joan discerns a lump in her breast.
The film has many visits to the hospital, scans and MRI, discussions with doctors, questions, queries, hopes, disappointments, chemotherapy and its consequences… And this takes its toll on both of them, Joan and the uncertainties and pain, some desperate wanting relief, impatience with Tom, while Tom feels that he is doing his best, perhaps a bit much of avoidance, falls optimism, exasperation but a continued devotion.
There is a small subplot concerning Peter, a former teacher of their daughter who has terminal cancer. He and Joan become friends, shared conversations, the teachers partner, Steve, staying always in the cafeteria, unable to be with him despite his love. There are some conversations between Tom and Steve, a great deal of pathos, commentating in Peter’s death and the funeral service and Steve’s speech.
Some audiences may find the subject and the treatment difficult going, but it is an opportunity to acknowledge the reality of cancer and illness that touches everyone, every family.
1. The title? The importance of love? To be found everywhere? In ordinary situations? The ordinary situation of middle-aged marriage, illness, cancer, treatment, the demands on love and support?
2. The settings, along the beachfront, home and interiors, ordinary, hospital visits, scans and MRI, doctor’s interview rooms? The night at the hotel? The musical score?
3. Ordinary lives, Joan and Tom in middle age, at home with each other, television, meals, mundane realities? Background of the loss of their daughter, the photos?
4. Joan, the shower, the lump in her breast, Tom’s reaction, their going to the doctor, appointments, scans, verdicts, uncertainties, confirmation of cancer, the growth in the breast, leading to mastectomy, possibilities of breast reconstruction? The realities of chemotherapy, physical illness, pain, loss of hair, Tom and the haircut, Joan and her wigs, too hot, being bald? The passing of time, the effect on Joan, desperation, irritation, anger at Tom, the fight? Her being sorry? In the wards, the patient with her advice about chemotherapy, the young woman going into surgery?
5. Tom, bluff man, love for Joan, ironic humour, accompanying Jonah and supporting her, optimism, strong demands for clarity from the doctors, mixed feelings about how to deal with Joan? Excepting the realities, accompanying her to the hospital, sitting with her, her pain, the pain killers, the bitter verbal fight about hating each other? Cutting her hair, her baldness? His acceptance of the situation? The special night at the hotel, the meal, sexual encounter, the future?
6. Joan recognising Peter, the discussion with him, teaching their daughter, his terminal cancer, his partner, Steve, unwilling to be in the ward? Tom and his conversations with Peter? Going to the cafeteria, the discussions with Steve?
7. Peter, teaching, his illness, gay man, relationship with Steve, Steve and his support but unable to go into the ward? Stephen his declaration of his love for Peter to Tom?
8. The funeral, Steve’s speech?
9. Joan, recovery, the motif of the couple walking along the beachfront, the sapling, growing again, the symbol of the walk on the sapling at the end?
