This three-part BBC production offers a strange yet compelling mix of melodrama and thriller in a story about an unhappy family reunion. When self-destructive news reporter Tom Ronstadt (John Simm) is fired from his London job, he returns to his Lancashire hometown, after being away for 18 years. Tom stays with his sister, Nancy (Olivia Colman), who is now the caretaker for their Alzheimer's-afflicted dad, Samuel (Jim Broadbent), also once a journalist. Father and son had a volatile relationship that ended in physical violence when Tom discovered some hidden papers and photographic negatives in Samuel's desk. Digging anew into Samuel's past, Tom uncovers a skein of secrets that reveals a set of family mysteries and a wider crime scenario involving prominent community members. Offering more details would spoil the twists and turns of Danny Brocklehurst's swiftly-paced screenplay, which is nicely realized here thanks to extraordinary performances from the three leads. Simm displays a peerless mix of anguish and anger, while Colman's steely reserve and Broadbent's heartbreaking portrayal of a once-mighty figure imprisoned within the grip of Alzheimer's are both riveting. DVD extras include a behind-the-scenes featurette. Recommended. (P. Hall)
Exile
BFS, 2 discs, 180 min., not rated, DVD: $29.98 December 17, 2012
Exile
Star Ratings
As of March 2022, Video Librarian has changed from a four-star rating system to a five-star one. This change allows our reviewers to have a wider range of critical viewpoints, as well as to synchronize with Google’s rating structure. This change affects all reviews from March 2022 onwards. All reviews from before this period will still retain their original rating. Future film submissions will be considered our new 1-5 star criteria.
Order From Your Favorite Distributor Today: