A very familiar story with a bit of British politics. In America, the movie was marketed as a romantic comedy - go figure! (What does the cover picture have to do with the movie?)
I was disappointed in the politics of the movie right away - I thought the idea of trying to save an institution that poses a general threat to the health of the world was tenuous at best, and the movie never really addresses it. The theme of "shame on the Tories" got tiresome after a while. They had reasons for doing what they did beyond the film's accusation of "progress for progress' sake". This type of blind evil in movies is too easy to portray and ultimately unfair.
But just like the lives of the miners, the moments of music make you forget all that and you can appreciate those moments for what they are. Postlethwaite's performance was stunning and he was at his best during these moments.
I was disappointed in the politics of the movie right away - I thought the idea of trying to save an institution that poses a general threat to the health of the world was tenuous at best, and the movie never really addresses it. The theme of "shame on the Tories" got tiresome after a while. They had reasons for doing what they did beyond the film's accusation of "progress for progress' sake". This type of blind evil in movies is too easy to portray and ultimately unfair.
But just like the lives of the miners, the moments of music make you forget all that and you can appreciate those moments for what they are. Postlethwaite's performance was stunning and he was at his best during these moments.