Quietly affecting
- Supernova review by PD
A quietly affecting depiction of how a long-term couple negotiate the inexorable effects of dementia, Harry Macqueen’s second feature relies heavily on the comfortable chemistry between the two actors, long-time friends off-screen, to bring its central relationship to life. The result is a bit 'talky' and could easily be re-imagined for the stage, but generally it is a beautifully modulated drama that is unforced and naturalistic, perfectly played by Colin Firth and Stanley Tucci. It's a sort of road film, with the couple travelling through the Lake District in a campervan en route to a comeback recital, but it's centre is a study of the adaptation of grief. Tucci is in quixotic, intoxicating form, using cheek and wit to hide a reservoir of feelings, a man who desperately wants to be remembered for who he was, but it’s Firth who provides the real heart of the film, skilfully capturing the strange predicament of loving someone with dementia, that sense of mourning a person while they are still alive. Neither Tucci and Firth give showy turns; instead they are reserved and refined, and Supernova is all the more moving for that (although there are some unnecessary sentimental touches and a somewhat cloying score), whilst the gorgeous autumnal shots of the Lake District courtesy of Mike Leigh cinematographer Dick Pope are neatly interwoven with the action. Yet it is a film that works by stealth. It starts with an accumulation of intimate, everyday moments that feels like it is going nowhere fast, but gradually without warning you feel deeply involved in these characters’ relationship and predicament - at a family party Tusker is told, despite his illness, “You are still you.” “No, I am not,” he replies, “I just look like him".
Firth and Tucci are definitely stronger than the script, which is a tad thin at times, and Macqueen often feels like he’s aiming for a lighter touch than he ends up using, whilst the tasteful, minimalist approach often precludes true connection and meaning - for dementia deserves more serious treatment. But such weaknesses are more than made up by the performances, which are lovely, and they successfully carry this minor-key piece, especially in those sequences in which Sam and Tusker cuddle up together and we understand just how much their lives are intertwined.
2 out of 2 members found this review helpful.
Beautiful and poignant
- Supernova review by giantrolo
A beautifully shot film about a life ending, and a partner's struggle to come to terms with the idea of becoming alone. Great performances as you would expect from Colin Firth and Stanley Tucci, and some breathtaking scenes of the Lake District. Definitely recommended!
2 out of 2 members found this review helpful.
A truly remarkable film of nuance and sensitvity on the subject of grief
- Supernova review by MM
Colin Firth and Stanley Tucci give outstanding performances of such nuance that i feel these are probably some of their best performances in a lifetime. It is a very moving film that handles the subject of dementia, right to die choices and grief with extraordinary sensitivity. It feels more like being in the same room as the characters rather than watching through a screen. It is a remarkable achievement.
2 out of 2 members found this review helpful.
Sad and lovely
- Supernova review by YL
Thought provoking. Beautifully portrayed. A beautiful love story. So glad we saw it. Love these two actors
1 out of 1 members found this review helpful.
Love Goes on Forever
- Supernova review by Strovey
Supernova is the type of film that was made more often decades ago, not that there is not a place for it nowadays, there most definitely is, but for younger, less patient audiences, the slow burn and intense focus on a long relationship and the strains a serious illness can put on it most certainly would be divisive. Putting aside those that will hate this because ‘nothing happens’ and ‘there’s lots of talking’ and there’s no exploding helicopters, Supernova is a sad and superb two-hander performed by two top actors at the top of their game.
Thankful Basil Exposition is not in this film so when we turn up in Sam and Tucker’s life, we must glean what has happened prior to events we are seeing and figure it out for ourselves. You know like thinking, intelligent adults. The story slowly unfolds as we see the two men bickering over satnavs, maps and the minutia of a life lived together over decades. It is clear they love each other but the story does not avoid the creaking of the ship of love as it sails life’s seas.
Without doubt the story is shored up and made more watchable because Firth and Tucci, close friends for decades in real life, are quite brilliant in the role of the gay lovers. The loving gay couple portrayed proving you do not need a gay actor to play these roles, just as a gay actor can play a heterosexual. Along with the script, the little glances, subtle signals, and moments of intimacy are there to be seen and genuinely believed, you do not need a brush writ large to demonstrate these and actors at the top of their game, such as Firth and Tucci, prove this.
The speech at the dinner with friends in the last third is a masterclass in the subtle acting saying more than any waving of arms and ‘declaiming’. The small supporting cast, seen in this section of the film is believable as relatives and friends and add to the nuance. A quick shout out to James Dreyfus, late of ‘Gimme, Gimme, Gimme’ and ‘The Thin Blue Line’ who pops up in an entirely non-comedic role, almost unrecognisable.
The story never wanders off track or outlasts its welcome and bracketed by some beautifully shot visages of the Lake District, cinematography courtesy of Dick Pope, that four seasons in one day part of the UK looks magnificent, probably better than it does it real life.
But the story is fundamentally a two-hander dialogue driven play between two men. Both face terrible hardships that will end very much differently for them. We get an insight into the raw emotions that the pressure of a debilitating and ultimately terminal illness places on the individuals within a couple. This is personal to me, so I have a dog in the fight.
I cannot reveal what happens to the characters but anyone familiar with dementia knows the final outcome. Supernova is subtle and holds a microscope up to a relationship ending neither person wants. That the couple are gay man is unimportant and the Tusker’s crisis and fight with dementia is not overly sentimental or played for tears, although you will probably cry.
I understand the topic may not be comfortable for everyone, it was not for me, my mother ending her days bellowing at the top of her lungs or lying half comatose repeating ‘I want to go home’ in either situation, due to her not very cinematic type of dementia. I understand that a gay couple may make less enlightened people uncomfortable, and the slow river the film is will turn others off, but truth be told more than a few of us will live this story in one form or another in our lives. Harry MacQueen and his cast bring to the screen a fresh honesty, which shows compassion and love and all the emotions in-between in an exceedingly challenging time in a couple’s life.
No doubt about it if Harry MacQueen carries on in this vein, he will produce thoughtful and interesting films in the future.
0 out of 0 members found this review helpful.
A gentle caring story.
- Supernova review by JT
A very sympathetic tale of tragic situation only too common now days. Very well portrayed by superb actors to a story that you know cannot have a happy ending. Thoroughly enjoyed it.
0 out of 0 members found this review helpful.
Heartfelt & Loving Drama
- Supernova review by GI
A sincere and touching portrait about love and mortality with two lovely, heartfelt performances from Colin Firth and Stanley Tucci. They play couple Sam and Tusker who have been together for decades. Sam is an accomplished pianist and Tusker a published author and they are traveling in the north of England in their battered motorhome visiting friends and family and having some alone time. Tusker has been diagnosed with early onset dementia and they have to face some difficult times ahead. This could have been an overly sentimental drama and occasionally it really pulls on the heartstrings but overall this is a gentle and restrained film, less a story about dealing with dementia as a loving couple trying to decide on the right future outcome for themselves. Firth and Tucci have a touching chemistry that is sweet and gentle and Tucci really nails the quizzical emotions as he struggles with his symptoms. A sad film but told with real heart.
0 out of 0 members found this review helpful.
Memorable!
- Supernova review by JH
One of the saddest, most beautiful films I've seen. Well acted, cinematography lovely, storyline so moving.
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A gentle, heartfelt & extremely moving portrayal of dementia & everlasting love
- Supernova review by TB
Stanley Tucci and Colin Firth have been close friends for over 20 years and had really wanted to work together for some time. In many ways, they couldn’t have picked a more perfect film. This two-hander is enhanced in so many ways by the clear love, respect and friendship they both have for each other. You totally believe the deep, heartfelt love the characters have, as well as the personal agony that both of them are suffering from, with one of them losing their memory and the other trying not to have the wonderful experiences they had together being destroyed by this new demon that cannot be reasoned with entering their lives.
One thing which has been noted by other reviewers, but which I would have mentioned anyways, is the total lack of any attention/focus on the fact that it is a gay couple. If you are looking for a film which bangs a drum and shouts about the difficulties and challenges of being part of the LGBTQIA+ community, along with the associated baggage, you won’t find it here. This is very welcome. To add that into what is deliberately a small-scale film which is tackling heavy subject matter anyway would totally overload and ruin the world that this film beautifully creates.
The cinematography, sound and quiet moments are all perfect. There are several great cameos, including James Dreyfus, who in 5 minutes manages to give a devastating look back to how things were before Tucci’s character started suffering from dementia.
Whilst the 2 performances were great, it was for me Stanley Tucci who made the greater impact. Interestingly enough, originally the roles were switched, with Firth taking the role of Tusker. But Tucci himself asked to swap and it was so good that he did. Tusker embodies the traits that so many suffers have: fear, acceptance and a refusal to be beaten. But in no way is Firth relegated to the background. His pain and love for his partner is so profound and moving. When I put myself in his place, I saw myself having the exact same difficulties that he did, but probably in no way being able to cope with them like he does.
Finally, Harry Macqueen is shaping up to be an incredible director. His way with actors as well as the handling of scenes makes me very excited to see what is in his future. If Supernova is this good on only his second film, it will be a bright future.
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