Miss Flicks

Living: LFF Film Review

I’ve always thought Bill Nighy is brilliant so it’s no surprise that he puts in another terrific performance in Oliver Hermanus‘ Living.

Set in 1950s London, the film stars Nighy as Mr. Williams, the long-running boss of the public works department in County Hall. He has been going through his daily routine – and therefore many years of his life – like a zombie, barely engaging with his work, his colleagues or his son. One day, he receives a devastating health diagnosis and decides it’s time to stop working and start living.

This film really makes you reflect on your own life and wonder if you’re truly living, having fun, being fully present and making the most of it. Many of us are living on autopilot without even realising it. How can we get out of that and start living like we’ve only got months to live? You can always rely on author Kazuo Ishiguro (who wrote the screenplay) to make you consider deep, existential questions.

Ishiguro (Never Let Me Go, The Remains of the Day) adapted the screenplay from the Japanese film Ikiru by Akira Kurosawa, which was in turn inspired by one of Tolstoy’s novellas. The story basically just follows Mr. Williams as he acts on his whims and does things he hasn’t done for years or has always wanted to do.

He also decides to befriend Margaret Harris (Aimee Lou Wood), the young woman who used to work in his department. She is a shining light, a radiant presence who seems to be truly living, and he is drawn to her. Their partnership is lovely to watch – you can see her energy and effervescence waking him up and bringing joy back into his life. They make an odd pair but this difference is what he needs – not more dour, grumpy zombies.

Nighy really convinced me as someone who is fatally ill – his voice in particular really sold it – and unsure what to do with this information. He doesn’t feel like he can tell his family or colleagues so confides in relative strangers, including Mr Sutherland (Tom Burke). Wood provides fantastic contrast as the young woman at the start of her life and I loved their conversations.

There isn’t a ton of plot in Living but it’s a life-affirming, heartwarming watch which will make you think about your own life for a while afterwards.

Seen as part of the London Film Festival. In cinemas from 4th November.