So, television provided another range of films today - most of which I'd seen. But not Hampstead, which was languishing way down my film list - so I watched that, this evening.
Diane Keaton plays an American widow with a picture-perfect life. She lives in a gorgeous flat in an old red-brick building in the affluent North London borough of Hampstead, works in a dinky clothes shop that she can walk to from home, meets up with the residents' committee (all-female) in her building, which is headed by Lesley Manville, keeps in touch with her son, James Norton. But all is not as rosy as it seems - and when she comes across a local homeless person (Brendan Gleeson) with a quirky streak, he provides a much-needed catalyst for change.
Hampstead looks lovely as ever - it's an artsy part of town, as well as an affluent one - mainly, I associate it with being very hilly. Just strolling around burns off calories. The only evidence of that here is a couple of shots of a long flight of steps - yes, I'm familiar with that too. Gorgeous view of Central London from Parliament Hill. Oh, and I cannot get decent mobile coverage there - not that that seems to be a problem in this film. Maybe they're on BT.
Anyway, back to the story. There's a very strong undercurrent of scorn of the Hampstead lifestyle - the committee seems as superficially friendly as you might expect, but there's nothing deeper, and one funny scene has a brattish child causing trouble in the shop, but when our widow tries to scold her, she's met with shrieking horror by the mother, defending her little darling. The local men seem emasculated, and there seems to be a constant run of petitions against one thing or another - some backed by ulterior motives.
On the other hand, we have Brendan Gleeson - who, it turns out, just showed up one day 17 years ago and built a shack, in a quiet corner. Every day, he bathes in the local pond, where he also frequently fishes for his dinner. (Another dig at the locals here - he has to watch out when they're around, because they expect him to throw back anything he catches.) He grows his own vegetables. Anyway, wouldn't you know it, the developers are moving in and want him out - and are prepared to play dirty. But can he prove he has squatter's rights..?
I liked it - actually think it's underrated on IMDB. Most of the main actors do an excellent job - although I'm getting a bit sick of Brendan Gleeson's constant whingeing in everything I see him in, expecting everyone else just to leave him to do things his way. Particularly galling is his performance in Mr. Mercedes, which I've started to follow again - who would ever oblige such an intransigent cop in any way? Works a bit better here, where he's more believable as a society drop-out. Anyway, I liked the back-to-basics message, liked the way it was played, liked the brief trip they took to the British Museum - was a bit underwhelmed at the implausible ending, but what the hey.
Later, I caught up with another episode of Planet Earth - next up was Shallow Seas. As usual, I had a choice of the playlist, with excellent quality but some episodes blocked, and the full-length version, of dubious quality. Started with the playlist - but so many episodes were blocked that I had to resort to the full version.
And I'm glad I did, because it's another beautifully and imaginatively shot instalment - this one focuses on the abundant sea life in the shallow seas off our shores. And again, we're plunged right into the action, swimming right alongside the most incredible creatures. Jaw-dropping facts and beautiful images - even if you don't think you'd be interested in the specific subject matter, this series is always worth checking out.
Tomorrow, back with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) - conveniently, an afternoon Meetup, where we're back watching an Andrew Lloyd Webber offering. This time, it's By Jeeves. The discussion afterwards will be on Jitsi, though - so I'll have to position myself closer to the router, as I had terrible trouble with this before. V annoying, how they persist in using this.
Monday sees London Literary Walks' next quiz.
And next Saturday, I'm back with UITCS for The Midnight Gang Musical, from Chichester Festival Theatre.
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