ALLELUJAH

UK, 2022, 99 minutes, Colour.

Jennifer Saunders, Bally Gill, David Bradley, Russell Tovey, Lorraine Ashbourne, Louis Ashbourne Serkis, Paul Butterworth, Judi Dench, Derek Jacobi, Julia Mackenzie, Gerard Horan.

Directed by Richard Eyre.

A rejoicing kind of title! Some might think of Handel’s Chorus. However, this could be quite misleading, especially by the end of the film where the group in the Bethlehem aged care hospital music therapy group enthusiastically sing an MGM/Judy Garland hit, Halleluia, c’mon get happy, get ready for the judgement day…

Allelujah is based on a play by prolific successful playwright, Alan Bennett, noted for his wry dramas as well as his series of Talking Heads monologues (and there are a number of these in this film). His 2018 play has been adapted for the screen by the creator of Call the Midwife, Heidi Thomas. Alan Bennett’s plays can be both funny and tragic, emotional and challenging. As is this one.

We are in Wakefield, Yorkshire, where in the 18^th century, there was a literary vicar. But, the 21^st-century, we are in a hospital for the aged, the Bethlehem, the Beth, greatly beloved by everybody in the city. Apparently not loved by government bureaucrats, issues of money, issues of closing down. Alan Bennett is very conscious of social issues, critical of bureaucracies, this film, ultimately making an appeal for support for the National Health Service.

The Beth is managed by Sister Alma Gilpin, an unexpectedly serious performance from Jennifer Saunders, highly efficient, dedicated, working with diligent assistant, with a sympathetic doctor, Dr Valentine, Indian background and studying for his becoming a British citizen (a sympathetic Bally Gill). He narrates the film, his love for the elderly, his medical and personal care.

And we see a number of the patients, a range of “Talking Heads” comments from several women patients, not so many men there but we see Derek Jacobi as a retired teacher, articulating literary quotes, but more attention to a crotchety old ex-miner, played by David Bradley, a lot of the film focusing on him and his visiting son, played by Russell Tovey. There is also a former librarian, the welcome presence of Judi Dench. And a very old girl lady played by Julia Mackenzie evoking memories of Miss Marple.

Perhaps, so far, so expected!

Sister Gilpin is to receive the city’s award, and we see her diligently working with the patients, quite personally. The main complication concerns the father and son, issues of opposite political stances, a gay issue, the son advising the government about the closing of The Beth. So, much of the dramatic tension as well as the hospital issues are focused in the interactions between father and son, and Sister Gilpin working with the father’s health issues.

There is some added confusion when a camera team comes in to make a documentary promoting the Beth. And, emotional complications when a daughter and her husband start charging in about the death of the mother and wanting an investigation.

A lot of the British public’s response to the film has been very negative, perhaps their wanting something more cheery overall and disappointed at the tone of the film, especially the ending, and Dr Valentine’s highly emotional and insistent Talking Head speech to camera about aged care, government interference. And, there is a 2020 addition to the film where the Beth is closed, Dr Valentine is working in a covid ward when Derek Jacobi is one of the patients.

An arresting screenplay, much clever writing, serious and humorous quips, a wonderful gallery of British character actors – and the continued social challenge about governments and healthcare.

1. The title and its tone? Alan Bennett, his plays, themes, social observation, criticism? The song: Alleluia come on get happy, prepare for the judgement day? Sung by the choir in the home, the occasion – and the ironies?
2. England, Britain, the 2010
3. s, the NHS, hospitals, patients, beds, needs, care, medication, therapies? The Tory government, restrictions, attack on the NHS?
4. Yorkshire, Wakefield, the town, the residents, their esteem for Bethlehem hospital, the Beth? The picturing of the testimonies, speeches, papers and articles? The closing down of sections, the threat to the closing?
5. Issues of aged care in the 21^st-century, hospital, treatment, crowding, staff? Financial support? The narrative by Dr Valentine, his character, Indian background, developing his English, preparing for becoming a British citizen, his family, the videos on the phone, the support, his love for the aged, his medical care, his narrating the events?
6. Sister Alma Gilpin, Jennifer Saunders in the role, her presence, age, experience, efficiency, her demands on her assistant, interactions with Dr Valentine, her timetable? Her later explanation of her life and her nursing, her mother, helping others, helping her mother? Her devotion to duty, bossy with the aged, but caring? Audience detecting indications for the climax of the film?
7. The picture of the staff, their work, Andy, his age, doing community service, the details, his interactions with different patients, especially with Joe Colman? His discussions with Colin, the possibility of moving to London?
8. The range of the elderly, the snapshots of various characters, the women, one talking in a wry bald way, the other about her family, the other banging on the tinplate and wanting to go to the toilet…? The men, fewer, Ambrose and his teaching background, love of English, the quotes for various occasions, helping Dr Valentine with clarifying English? The old man, sitting in the background, at the sing songs?
9. The place of the sing songs, music therapy, the group gathered, the range of songs, the MGM musicals, the eagerness of the conductor? Preparing for the ceremony for Sister Gilpin?
10. The focus of attention on Joe Colman, the mining background, age, illness, crotchety, memories of his wife, the wedding ring despite the swelling and his fingers? Alienation from his son? His son visiting him, not bringing a gift, wanting grapes, later bringing the grapes, the discussions, the memories? His dissatisfaction with his son, the memory of his singing and raising money during the 80s strikes, wanting his son to sing? His son, sexual awareness, the streets, leaving for London, his partner, phoning him? Staying at the hotel, his presence in Wakefield, his work, advising the Minister, critical of the NHS, his documents, the arguments for closing? The encounter with Dr Valentine, Dr Valentine showing him the abandoned ward, the equipment, what it was capable of? His later visit with his father, willing him around, singing, in the conservatory?
11. Mary, quiet, librarian, shy before the camera, Dr Valentine giving her the tablet, her filming, the irony of what this would lead to?
12. The camera group, the interviews, the aged, the honorary head, formerly mayor, his eagerness, cover-ups? The situation with the Earnshaws, their mother, 92, ill, dementia, her ramblings, drinking the milk, her death, the Earnshaw and their upset, their demands?
13. Sister Gilpin, reminiscing with Dr Valentine? Her treatment of Joe Colman, dancing with him, movement in his feet? Dr Valentine and the removal of his ring? Getting better? Sister Gilpin bringing the milk, leaving it for him, his knowing what this was for, his drinking it? His death, his son in London, returning, demands?
14. Mary, the video, sister Gilpin and the milk, talking to Dr Valentine, his disappointment? Ringing the police?
15. Sister Gilpin, concerned about her speech, Dr Valentine urging her to speak from the heart? Her speech and the response? The police arriving, her being taken away?
16. Many audiences, especially British, highly critical of this change of mood and pace for the film?
17. The final scene, Dr Valentine, Covid, his work on the wards, Ambrose ill, dying?
18. Dr Valentine’s impassioned speech to camera about the social situation, England,                the NHS…?