THE OPINION OF THE “WORLD” – WHY NOT
Sam (Colin Firth) and Tusker (Stanley Tucci) travel, in a motorhome, across England on the countryside side as an old couple with settled habits that they have already formed for many years. The first, a pianist on availability, watches more than reason over the second, renowned writer of American origin, who presents the symptoms of dementia – absences and distractions – threatening his autonomy in the very short term. Together, they go to the patient’s family home for an intimate reception between relatives which could well be the last.
Pulls tears and monotonous
The second feature film by British actor and director Harry Macqueen brings together the ingredients of a potentially upsetting melodrama, starting with its narrative collected over a few days aimed directly at the nerve of emotion. The whole, however, quickly reveals a marked lack of sobriety. Each scene is cut on the same motif: highlighting what can only be said in covered words within the couple, as the discreet proofs of an unconditional and long matured love.
But, by dint of flaunting his restraint and his dignity, the film becomes dripping with ostensible modesty, served as a wink to the viewer. Scene after scene, demonstrations of complicity and dedication follow one another, subtly drawing tears and above all monotonous.
Supernova also prides itself on poetry, spinning the cosmic metaphor through the firmament observed, through an astronomical telescope, the two men – where it goes without saying that certain stars go out without ceasing to shine. All this constitutes a rather bland cocktail: a good taste too conscious of itself which, wanting to seize the emotion with tweezers, systematically misses it.
British film by Harry Macqueen. With Colin Firth, Stanley Tucci, Pippa Haywood, Peter MacQueen (1 h 34).