Sometimes Always Never
PG-13 thematic elements and some sexual references | 1h 31min | Comedy, Drama, Mystery
Opening in Virtual Cinemas Friday June 12, 2020 | On Demand July 10, 2020
Directed by: Carl Hunter
Written by: Frank Cottrell Boyce
Cast: Bill Nighy, Sam Riley, Alice Lowe, Jenny Agutter, Tim McInnerny
Synopsis: Alan (Bill Nighy) is a stylish tailor with moves as sharp as his suits. He has spent years searching tirelessly for his missing son Michael who stormed out over a game of Scrabble. With a body to identify and his family torn apart, Alan must repair the relationship with his youngest son Peter (Sam Riley) and solve the mystery of an online player who he thinks could be Michael, so he can finally move on and reunite his family.
Review: This is a clever little film that could have gone over the deep end with weighty dialogue and prolonged sadness. Instead it often feels whimsical in spite of its underlying plot. Director Carl Hunter uses quick edits and still frames that move with and around the characters. This too keeps the film lighter than expected. I was completely on board in the first 10 minutes. I knew that I was in for a treat. Yes, the pace feels slow but I was ok with that. I was walking along side a father and son through a tough time in their life. I was willing to go at their stride. At that slower pace you often learn things and are impacted more by the beautiful moments.
Bill Nighy is unmatched when it comes to conversational delivery. When he interacts with other actors you are never really sure what is truth and what is fantasy hidden behind a prankster’s grin. His speech pattern, like his physical movements, are jerky and often off beat. As a listener you want to stay in the moment and catch his rhythm. As Alan he creates a quirky character that would be exhausting as a family member but is a lot of fun to watch. The script (Frank Cottrell Boyce) is very truthful and realistic. Nighy grounds it even more by how he embodies the character and the words he is given.
The game of scrabble is a moving object in the film and fans of the game will appreciate the conversations relating to it. Having the characters converse while playing adds a richness to the text. You often feel like you are sitting in a room with an average family eavesdropping on their stresses, fears, and dark woes. But adding a family game element lifts it out of the mirk and makes the rest of the story seem less morose. There is also a wonderful path that Alan and his grandson take that is a special part of the films journey.
Sometimes Always Never (which when you hear the words in the film are sort of mind blowing in context-like I will always remember and use that!) is a strong film about loss, family, and the hurdles that can either divide us or bring us closer together. Rated PG-13 it is safe for most audiences but intended for older viewers. Not a bad date night option for sure.