OBSERVER: Midwinter Break
Midwinter Break is one of those thoughtful, delightful films that feature people no longer in the first flush of youth, in whom we see reflections of ourselves.
Going against the Hollywood stereotype of glossy airbrushed stars are fine British actors Lesley Manville as Stella and Ciaran Hinds as her husband Gerry.
They are classic empty nesters, with one son and grandchildren living far away. In some ways they are chalk and cheese, as Stella is a committed Catholic whose faith is very precious to her, while Gerry is a sceptic who accepts his wife’s faith but also finds it a source of mild amusement.
Stella decides they are in a rut and need an adventure, so she plans a midwinter break in Amsterdam, and initially everything goes swimmingly. They both love the galleries, pubs and architecture and excitement of Amsterdam.
But beneath the relaxed companionship of a long-married couple there are issues that fester, one of which is Gerry’s dependence on a wee dram or three. Stella also is unsettled, feeling she needs to do something more with her life that involves her faith.
What gradually unfolds is a past trauma that has laid buried but is now emerging to haunt them both. The fascination of the film is how this is revealed and the journey they must both go on, which is painful and emotional, and searingly honest.
Manville and Hinds are simply superb, and very easy to identify with for anyone who has been in a decades-long partnership.
It is a joy to see how they eventually resolve their trauma without a neat happy ever after ending. Their story ends in a real way with a sense of hope for their future. The other star of the film is Amsterdam itself – the photography is so good that the film doubles as an advertisement for visiting that fair city.
Midwinter Break is showing now at Cinema Nova, Palace Cinemas and Lido Hawthorn and Classic Elsternwick.
Julie Houghton