How About You
DIR: Anthony Byrne • WRI: Jean Pasley • PROD: Noel Pearson Sarah Radclyffe • DOP: Des Whelan • ED: Emma E. Hickox • DES: Tom McCullagh • CAST: Joss Ackland, Hayley Atwell, Orla Brady,  Brenda Fricker, Elizabeth Moynihan, Joan O'Hara, Vanessa Redgrave

‘There is nothing in life worse than a bitter and sour old person’
Anon.

Produced, no doubt, in order to coincide with the festive season, How About You is a pleasantly predictable flick about the lives, loves, and relationships of the curmudgeonly crew of impossibly demanding residents of a rather grand looking old folks home, somewhere deep in the Wicklow Mountains. Deserted by those who love them, the ‘hardcore’ remainders have no choice but to spend yet another (one imagines) Christmas sadly reflecting upon their younger days, consuming numerous gin and martinis, veritable trays of hash cake, and generally giving a very good impression of feeling sad for ones-self.

Sounds terribly depressing, non? Actually, of its type, it’s an aesthetically charming Irish film. Director Anthony Byrne (Short Order, Clubbing, Freaky Deaky) cleverly adapts a short story penned by Maeve Binchy – her familiar style of inimitable ‘tongue in cheek’ Irish witticism blends with a slug of twee sentimentality, which is poured over an atmospherically shot screenplay (Des Whelan). Bryne’s interpretation of her story is well considered, and thus Binchy’s ready made premise and well-observed colloquial characterisation, lubricates the whole. If I were to make one constructive comment, it would be that Byrne’s overall realisation may have lacked imagination – or possibly hard cash – as there are not enough top notch scenes, but instead adorable ‘cinematic crackle’. But hey, who am I to judge?

Vanessa Redgrave – film royalty – is superb, her performance as a beautiful art deco head-case, draws on her vast experience, as does the bearded acerbic Donald (Joss Ackland) and their intuitive interplay provides this film its best moments.

The restrained elegance of proprietor Kate is calmly captured by Irish beauty Orla Brady. Her accountant however, is worried big time and the hardcore residents are making life hell and their constant threats and disgruntlement are running the place into the ground. What’s more, an officious local area health inspector is about to pay a visit for a full inspection!

Enter our young heroine, Ellie (Hayley Atwell), full of the joys of life, not a care in the world and in need of the few bob to go travelling. It’s a baptism of fire with her youth and inexperience bringing her into bitter conflict with some of the retirees. That cruel mistress fate now plays her hand – a family illness means her big sister has to up sticks at short notice and Ellie’s left in sole charge for the whole festive period. Her spunky approach serves her well, and so it is that she tries to outwit the cranky hardcore with some heartwarming and hilarious consequences...

Rich Ashcroft
(Read biog here)

Rated 15A (see IFCO website for details)
How About You is released on 16th November 2007
How About You – Official website