If you’re an Alan Bennett fan then you’ve probably heard of Allelujah; if not then you are in for a treat. Allelujah is one helluva film. Don’t be put off by the shmaltzy poster or the trite-sounding plot or the lukewarm reviews.
When I told my companion (who doesn’t know Bennett’s work) that this is based on a play, I got an eye roll of monumental proportions. He hates plays-as-films, firm in his pronouncement that they’re always limited in scope by …. I stopped listening then because I countered with The History Boys. He clammed up.
Yes, the film is overloaded with some of Britain’s best talent. Jennifer Saunders is the acerbic and distant Nurse Ratched with a heart of tin. Judi Dench and Derek Jacobi are sidelined as supporting inmates of The Beth: a Yorkshire hospital that’s facing NSH cuts. The central drama focuses on Colin and his dad Joe (Russell Tovey and David Bradley) who play out a predictable storyline of a homophobic dad and his gay son coming to grips with son’s lifestyle and dad’s decay. But the standout performance comes from Dr Valentine (Bally Gill) – the doctor who cares for the cranky, incontinent patients with heart-warming care. His final moments demonstrate the breadth of his acting talent. He’s a keeper.
But if you’re already snoring – be patient (like what I did there). The story does stumble along with plenty of Bennett drolleries and clever life observations. And most of the time you’re thinking – is that what I have to look forward to, and shudder.
Seemingly, there’s nothing to set the movie apart, but watch for the deft way the audience is set up. And if anyone thinks it’s muddled, I beg to differ—director Richard Eyre is no slouch when it comes to turning plays into watchable cinema, and in Allelujah he deliberately lulls the audience with platitudes and predictability. I’m certainly looking forward to a second viewing to be more alert for his sleight of hand.
It’s definitely one of those movies where you leave the theatre thinking – wait a second …
Allelujah is now in cinemas
99 minutes
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