FILM OF THE WEEK
INTERVIEW | review: On a Clear Day |
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| Written by Boyd van Hoeij | |
| Thursday, 20 April 2006 | |
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On a Clear Day is a film that perfectly fits the mould of the British feel-good dramatic comedy of which at least one has been released annually in the last decade. Famous examples include The Full Monty (1997), Billy Elliot (2000) and Calendar Girls (2003). The Brits cling so steadily to this tradition that the above text is in fact nothing more than a rehash of the introductory paragraph to my review of Calendar Girls from two years ago. The standard ingredients of this genre include grimy industrial cities, luxuriantly green countrysides, people out of work or luck (often both) and an overwhelming passion for an arts- or sports activity that helps the characters build a sense of self. The man out of luck and work is Frank (Peter Mullan), the industrial city Glasgow. Recently laid off, Frank is still dealing with the death of one of his sons, which makes his relationship with his wife Joan (Brenda Blethyn, most recently seen as the portly mother in Pride & Prejudice) and his surviving son Rob (Jamie Sives) difficult. The activity that makes life worth his while is swimming, which he does in the local pool with his now ex-colleagues. Fighting depression, boredom and his 50-odd years, Frank soon hits on the idea to face the ultimate challenge: swimming the English Channel. Films like these aren’t exactly suspenseful (since their outcome is also part of the formula), and judging them on the originality of their plot is beside the point. What counts is whether we care enough about the characters to make them want to overcome their obstacles. If by the end of the film it brings about that fuzzy feeling in your stomach (and possibly a tear to your eye) than it has succeeded in what it set out to do. On a Clear Day features some very robust acting from all the veterans involved and the characters in Alex Rose’s screenplay are drawn sharply, without shying away from their uglier sides, and the finale stirs the belly aplenty. Its watery theme will guarantee that there is not a dry eye in the house when the end credits roll – and a queue at the bathroom straight after. |
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