Sir Michael Gifford (Brian Cox) is a famed Shakespearean actor living out his final days with a rare form of Parkinsons. Never the easiest of men to get on with, he has become arrogant, obstinate, bullying and uncooperative with those around him. A veritable grumpy old bugger. His carers never last long in the job....
Dorottya (Coco Konig), a young Hungarian woman with her own thespian ambitions, is sent from a care home to see if she can take on the role of looking after Sir Michael. He's as difficult with her as with those who preceded her, but finds her ability to respond in like manner to his use of Shakespeare's lines to be intriguing. That and her failure to rise to his frequent provocations, but to give as good as she gets when the time is right.
Gifford's daughter Sophia (Emelia Fox), is a chip of her father's block, a bully who wants her own way, housekeeper/companion Milly (Anna Chancellor) is dedicated to the old man and suspicious of anyone else getting too close to his affections, while driver/gardener Joseph knows all his faults and provides Dorottya with a guiding hand.
When Sofia begins to suspect that the young woman is having an unwelcome influence on her father, encouraging him to reappear in public, the reality of the relationships around the old actor are tested and emotions come to the forefront.
Not shy of showing up the indignities of old age and infirmity, the film is full of heart and hope, and an encouragement to "rage against the dying of the light". The casting is perfect, and Konig looks to be a real star for the future. It's unusual to see Fox in an uberbitch persona, and she carries it off to perfection. While Cox is simply magnificent, and has plenty of chances to show off his comic timing - there are a lot of laughs throughout. While his speech at the end is moving, powerful, insightful and a statement in itself (apparently much of the wording came from Cox himself).
Not to be missed.
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