A One Mann’s Movies review of “Allelujah” (2023).
In “Allelujah” we take a scalpel to the NHS. It’s a film that looks fun and fluffy from the trailer, but which has a distinctly dark edge.
Bob the Movie Man Rating:
Plot Summary:
In Wakefield, West Yorkshire, ‘The Beth’ is an old Victorian hospital priding itself on providing small-scale quality care for elderly patients, led by the no-nonsense Sister Gilpin (Jennifer Saunders). But the hospital is the target of UK Government cuts in a ruthless pursuit for productivity. But the father (David Bradley) of NHS senior consultant Colin Colman (Russell Tovey) is currently undergoing treatment there. Might this help sway the decision?
Certification:
UK: 12; US: NR. (From the BBFC: “Infrequent strong language, moderate threat, sex references, discrimination”).
Talent:
Starring: Jennifer Saunders, Bally Gill, Judi Dench, Derek Jacobi, David Bradley, Jesse Akele, Julia McKenzie, Russell Tovey.
Directed by: Richard Eyre.
Written by: Heidi Thomas. (Based on the play by Alan Bennett).
Twitter Handle: #Allelujah.
Being old can suck, but Mary (Judi Dench) can still have a laugh with Dr Valentine (Bally Gill). (Source: Ingenious Media).
“Allelujah” Review:
Positives:
- There are many extremely moving moments in this film – a paean to the tireless efforts of NHS staff who often go to hell and back during their working weeks. Picking the specific subject matter of geriatric care – a worry that us older folks over 60 have on the stove on a quiet simmer – makes for uncomfortable viewing. The Everyman screening I went to was well attended, but just about everyone else in the cinema seemed to be older than I was: and I thought how sobering some of the scenes must be to them.
- Comedian Jennifer Saunders has had a number of ‘straight’ roles recently: for example, in the serialised TV movie “The Stranger” and in last year’s “Death on the Nile“. And here she delivers another one as the stern but kindly matron, rabidly particular about cleanliness and her charges remaining continent. Saunders is great.
- Also memorable is the RSC’s Bally Gill as Dr Valentine in his first mainstream feature film performance (he previously had a minor role in 2018’s “Coriolanus”). I can see Gill going on to great things in movies in the future.
- Those stalwarts of British film and theatre Derek Jacobi, Dame Judi Dench and Julia McKenzie all pop up in supporting roles, adding gravitas to the piece.
- Although (as below) the story is episodic, I did enjoy the sub-story featuring David Bradley, almost reprising his character from the wonderful “After Life”, with Russell Tovey taking the Ricky Gervais role.
Negatives:
- Although there are moments of emotion and humour throughout (most of the best lines are, I’m afraid, in the trailer), I found the whole piece to be rather jerky and episodic. We chop and change between different scenes too readily.
- This movie could be had up under the Advertising Standards Authority for the trailer. That paints this movie as a ‘happy clappy’ feelgood comedy set in a OAP hospital, at threat of being closed down with the patients and volunteers gamely rallying around to prevent the closure (which obviously they will). In reality, the film takes some phenomenally dark twists in its second half and – without giving away spoilers – spirals into the abyss rather than soars away from it. This is a real downer of a movie and a ‘Father Ted film’ if ever there was one.
- A final scene – an intense and impressive piece of 4th-wall breaking by Bally Gill – feels like an angry rant by the writers or a Party Political Broadast by the Labour Party. The messages laid out by the film were perfectly clear, and didn’t need ramming home in such a heavy-handed way.
Summary Thoughts on “Allelujah”
A film that is distinctly British (I can’t see it getting an American release) and featuring a host of great British stars, this is a bit of a curate’s egg. It’s occasionally moving and engaging, but a little too jerky and spasmodic for me to rate it particularly highly. It certainly does deliver food for thought though. Like the majority of the British people (I believe) it also puts you firmly in support of those in nursing and social care to secure the significant pay rises that properly reflect their value in our society.
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Trailer for “Allelujah”
The trailer is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGektpTIYqo .
