SAVE THE CINEMA

UK, 2022, 109 minutes, Colour.

Samantha Morton, Owain Yeoman, Tom Felton, Erin Richards, Jonathan Pryce, Adeel Akhtar, Colm Meany, Joe Hurst, Owen Teale, Susan Wokoma.

Directed by Sarah Sugarman.

In 2022, two British films focusing on saving cinemas were released, early in the year came this film, Save the Cinema, set in 1993, the town of Carmarthen, Wales, its old Lyric Theatre. At the end of the year came Sam Mendes rather more epic and complex film about saving cinema, Empire of Light, the Empire cinema in Margate.

Save the Cinema was written by Piers Ashworth, something of a specialist in small town humane stories, the two Fishermen’s Friends films, Bank of Dave. It is more of the homespun story, touches of sadness, touches of humour, touches of satire (especially with Adeel Akhtar’s over-the-top performance as the Mayor). Empire of Light was written and directed by Sam Mendes, with much more complex themes and human interactions, mental issues, racist issues in England – and the setting is 1981.

Samantha Morton gives a vigorous performance as Liz, the director of theatre in the town, using the Lyric Theatre, remembering her performances along with her now husband, David (Owain Yeoman). Samantha Morton has had a long career in British and American cinema, working with significant directors including Oscar nominations in Woody Allen and Jim Sheridan films, and, in 2022, very strong performances in The Said and The Whale. She is at the core of the protest against the demolition of the Lyric. Jonathan Pryce has an enjoyable cameo as an old teacher supporting the saving of the Lyric there is a very strong supporting cast including Tom Felton, very different indeed from his performances in the Harry Potter films. Coal Meany is the villain is the developer. For those who enjoy cinema nostalgia, the plan to raise consciousness in the town’s discovery of the old cans of the 1941 classic about Wales, How Green was My Valley, people turning up to see it, and standing to sue join in the Welsh songs from the film.

In Empire of Light, the plan to save the Cinema was to have the premiere of Chariots of Fire. In Save the Cinema, the plan is to have the premiere of Jurassic Park, an appeal to Steven Spielberg himself to supply the copy and the Welsh turning the clock forward five minutes so that they could have their premiere just before that in London with Princess Diana! (Samantha Morton had worked with Steven Spielberg in Minority Report.)

This is a very enjoyable piece of British nostalgia.

1. The title, cinemas of the past, their status in towns, the coming of television, changes, audiences not going to the movies, the buildings, and visions of developers?
2. Wales, the setting, the town of Carmarthen, the past, the school, the theatrical performances, the audience, Jesus Christ superstar, Mr Morgan and his encouragement? Liz and David, the aftermath?
3. 1993, the old Lyric, audiences not going to the films, the developers of the plan to make a shopping centre? Inevitable changes in towns? Yet the memories, the heritage…?
4. The film based on a true story, Liz and David, the photos during the final credits? The significant careers of their actual children? Their memories of growing up, the plays? The plan to put on Oliver, the auditions, the songs? The use of the Lyric?
5. The mayor, the touch of caricature, the subcontinent background, in England, in Wales? Susan as his assistant, her strong qualifications, his treatment of her? The approach of the developer, the discussions, the money? The visit to the site, the plans for demolishing?
6. Liz, the marriage to David, their children, her love of the theatre? David and his work, the issues of more jobs for building the shopping centre? The news about the demolition? Her response, taking a stand, going to the theatre, occupying it? David and his visits, pleading with her? The children, their support, the older son and his criticisms? Her taking up residence?
7. Liz, her work as a hairdresser, the clientele, the scenes in the shop, Dolly, her jovial nature, modern – drugs et cetera, her work, supportive Liz? The transfer of the hairdressing to the stage of the theatre? The mayor and his complaints, the developer and the confrontation? Susan, hearing the news, coming to the rescue, her legal background, stopping the proceedings?
8. The timing, the demolishers, everything ready, the heavy equipment, Liz appearing at the window, Susan and the stay for demolition? The various schemes?
9. Richard, his place in the town, the postman, his qualifications at Open University, the visits to the mayor, the mayor getting him onside, Richard and the attraction to Susan? His being caught up in the plan? The meetings, his eyes being opened, the screening of How Green was my Valley, his changing sides? His involvement?
10. Mr Morgan, his support, the projection room, explaining it to Liz, his memories of the past, the plan to get the film, carrying it to the theatre, the setting up? The family and the printing of the leaflets, the distribution, people turning up, his not knowing the film (not seemingly likely), in black and white?
11. The audience, the crowds, the screening, the Welsh songs, the audience singing?
12. Mr Morgan, his death, the funeral, the plan for the demolition during a funeral, Susan hurrying, the cars, the blockade, stopping the demolition?
13. The delay in the demolition, the pressure on the mayor, Susan and her help? David, supporting leaders, the children? The ladies of the town, Dolly and her efforts? Richard and Susan?
14. The plan for a film, the news about Jurassic Park, the plan to screen it, a premier, contact with Steven Spielberg, the long delay, the final phone call, Spielberg and his promise, coinciding with the London premiere and Princess Diana present, everything set up, the theatre renewed, wanting to be ahead of the London premiere, changing the clock ahead for five minutes, the screening, John Williams’ musical score, the audience response?
15. The defeat of the mayor, the defeat of the developer, frustration? The suggestion that Richard stand for man, the campaign, the bond with Susan, the future?
16. An enjoyable film of British nostalgia? Nostalgia for cinema?