Ordinary Love ***** (2019, Lesley Manville, Liam Neeson, Amit Shah) – Movie Review

Lesley Manville is an absolute knockout as middle-aged English wife Joan, battling her breast cancer diagnosis, in the extraordinary 2019 drama Ordinary Love.

Liam Neeson is tremendous in deeply loyal support of Manville, just as deeply loyal as his husband character Tom is to his wife Joan. Manville and Neeson brilliantly give the impression that they have been a married couple for decades, and are absolutely devoted to each other. They are a little bit worn and ragged at the edges, but are up for the battle of life, and in it together, come what may.

Manville and Neeson are truly lovely in this film, working on the highest level, even for these superb actors. Writer Owen McCafferty’s sharp and moving script gives them all they need to shine.

Cancer dramas can be among the most depressing of any kinds of movies, and this one has its gruelling side, as weariness and sadness are on the agenda, and the sharp awareness of life’s slender thread. But you end up cheered and cheering as it turns out to be a story of love and survival.

Directors Lisa Barros D’Sa and Glenn Leyburn handle it all perfectly, discreetly but attentively and revealingly. It is one of the best movies of 2019, yet it failed to get any awards or even any attention.

Also in the cast are Amit Shah and David Wilmot.

© Derek Winnert 2020 Movie Review

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