Movie Review: Allelujah

 Movie Number 18 of 2023

The Movie: Allelujah

The Cinema: Village Cinemas, The Rivoli, Camberwell. 

Stars: 3.5

Allelujah is not a perfect film, however, it has enough going for it to keep you amused, entranced and to have your thought processes kept engaged for the hour forty of the film. 

The RottenTomatoes rating has this down in the ditch. 

Don't believe the reviews and judge for yourself. There's a lot here if you forgive the sometimes messiness of the plot. 

What it does have is: 

• A stunning British cast
• An excellent script
• A huge heart
• And it gives you a lot to think about. 

Allelujah takes us to a small, publicly run geriatric hospital in Yorkshire, The Bethlehem. The staff to their very best under the strict but loving watch of Sister Gilpin (Jennifer Saunders). Doctor Valentine (Bally Gill) ensures the patients are cared for medically, while the nursing staff ensure the wellbeing of the patients. Despite the threats of closures, the staff, and the patients soldier on. In the background, a group of well-meaning volunteers is trying to keep the hospital open, and a film crew are present to try and help this cause along. 

Of the patients, we see old age at its best, and its most brutal. There's the Earnshaw's who are trying to keep her mother alive for reasons that are revealed in time. Then there's Ambrose (Derek Jacobi), and old teacher who's trying to escape the clutches of one of the other patients. Mary (Judi Dench), a former librarian uses her research skills to assist the documentary makers. 

Most fun, and poignant of all, is Mr Colman (David Bradley) who has been admitted to the hospital for the short term from his nursing home. His son, Colin (Russell Tovey) is worried about his father, but is also a consultant to the NHS, advocating the closure of the hospital. Their relationship is fun to watch as we see the indignities of old age rage against the practicalities of modern life. 

As a lover of screenwriter Alan Bennett's work, there's a lot to appreciate. As expected, there's a lot of spit take moments which take a humorous look at the ageing. Bennett is also great with character and this is seen in spades. 

What doesn't work so well is that this was adapted from a stage play and you get the feeling more could be done to translate this over. The play originally staged in 2018. There was a small add on at the end of the film to bring this up to post-COVID times, with good effect. 

I'll also say we should keep our eyes out for Bally Gill, who played Doctor Valentine, is somebody to watch out for. Classically trained, he really kicks some goals in this.

This film resonated with me, as I'm watching many of my friends deal with the challenges of elderly parents (I'm thankful my elderly parents are running very well indeed). This film asks a lot of question of our society on the topics of how we care for our ageing folk in a caring, compassionate and human way. 

Today's song: 

Don't joke about working Easter

 I nearly went full Roy Kent in a meeting earlier today. 

I've got a lot on my plate at the moment at work. It's managable, but a lot needs to be done. 

One of the team, in the open forum of the meeting suggested I work over Easter. 

My first desired reaction was as follows:

I was in a meeting. I'm better trained that that. My second desired reaction was this:

My third reaction at the thought of working Easter was as follows: 

I managed to keep the expletives out of my reaction in the end: 

I had my camera off so they couldn't see my hand gestures. 

See, last Easter I worked over Easter. I managed to rack up 34 hours over the four day break. I took Sunday off. Yes, that's over 11 hours a day on a public holiday. 

They didn't even pay double time. It was a bit of a miracle they paid the overtime at all. 

So you don't joke about working Easter with me. 

And I will swear and growl like Roy Kent if you even suggest it to me. 

It's Easter. I want the break. I need to keep my strength up for the months to come. 

Today's song: 

Saying Hello to Thomas

 The most wonderful thing to happen to me today was over a message app. 

My friend Lainey is over in Britain, having taken herself over there for a big birthday. She's staying with a friend in Canterbury. 

The message read, "I'm waving at Thomas for you."

Some of friends just get you. 

When I Lainey told me about her trip, and how she was staying in Canterbury, I gave instructions. Go into the Cathedral. Pay the entrance fee. Head off to the left of the nave and go down the small staircase. Sit in front of the sculpture of the swords and commune with Thomas a Beckett. 

She got it. 

And today, she wrote to me from Canterbury Cathedral. 

I have a strange relationship with this Twelfth Century saint. 

Like the pilgrims from The Canterbury Tales of Chaucer, I have this near cellular draw to go to this spot while I'm in England. Though not like I'm a Catholic - I'm not religious at all. Yet there is something about this man, who can from reasonably humble beginnings, who rose to the top of the King's favour, only to taken town by some of the King's men in the Cathedral over which he presided. 

There used to be a large memorial to him in the Lady Chapel. This was destroyed by Henry VIII, as he destroyed so many holy sites. 

Now, a single candle stands vigil over the site where his bones once lay. 

The candle is never extinguished. 

So, the pull to go to Canterbury continues. 

And I have friends who know about this and message me from Canterbury to say that they're sitting with Thomas and having a chat - which is what I love to do when I'm in Canterbury. 

It meant a lot. 

Also, I might have to see if I can take a day trip down there when I'm over in September. 

Today's song: 

The Second Audition

 Jay and I gave Saxon a second audition tonight.

Finding a new trainer, especially after such a long stint with Cleo, is hard. We've been seeing Cleo for well on seven years. She's part of our lives. Finding another trainer is hard. Finding somebody who will take us on, two ageing women who can get a bit lippy - well, who's going to do that? 

We have some criteria in taking on a new P.T. 

They must:

• Listen when we say we won't do something - normally something hurts. 
• Keep us moving.
• Be reliable
• Work in with our schedules. 

I met up with Saxon two weeks ago. He seemed to fit the bill. Tonight, it was Jay's turn to see what she thought. 

It went well. I'm not sure that poor Saxon knew what was coming. I'm not sure he was used to two older women telling him, "Keep us moving. No resting."

He started us off on light weights. By the end of the sets I was pumping 190 kilos on the leg press machine. He put us through our paces on the sled. We pointed out equipment we liked using - no aquabag for me, as many battle ropes as he likes. No jumping. All of the stuff he needs to know about. 

45 minutes later, we had the talk.

"Well, these are our hours, if you can fit us in. Mondays, and either a Wednesday or Friday. You have to keep us moving. That's what you're employed to do. We pay on time and give you lots of notice if we can't make a session. In other words, we're reliable."

I think he likes us. 

Jay and I talked about it on leaving the gym. He should be a good replacement for Cleo. He's shown that he can listen. He let us work within our boundaries, whilst pushing just a little. He seems reliable.

Okay, he looks 12, but that is happening more and more.

Today's song: 

Helsinki

I'm not sure what I'm more excited about. Going overseas in September/October, or transiting on the way home in, of all places, Helsinki. 

I've never been to Helsinki before. 

I'll probably never go to Helsinki again. 

But I'm going to be in Helsinki Airport for two hours and I think this is really cool. 

On the weekend, I spent some time with the mob from the Writer's Retreat. We discussed the Gunnas International, on which a few of my favourite Gunnas are going along. I'm quite excited about this. I mean, I've been to Paris twice before, once on my own where I was backpacking, the other time I was there with a friend - and I remember not having fun as my friend and I weren't really compatible travel companions.

So, this time, I'm spending ten days on a writer's retreat in France. Five days in Paris, five days in Provence. It's costing an arm and a leg, but as I haven't travelled in three years, it's worth it. Sometimes you have to do something which nourishes your soul. Spending ten days in a glorious place with some of my favourite people sounds pretty good to me. It's also one of these trips where you can opt in and out out of activities as you see fit - which means I get my day roaming around the Pere Lachaise Cemetary in Autumn again. I love that. 

So today, on a whim, at lunch, I looked at tickets. I used Frequent Flyer Points. It ended up costing me $750 for the taxes on the return trip. 

Going across, I'm leaving Melbourne stupid early in the morning, heading out on an Emirates flight and landing in Stanstead 22 hours later. 

Three weeks later, I'm heading home from Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris, flying Finnair to Hong Kong via Helsinki, then catching a Qantas flight back into Melbourne. Yes, it's a bit around the houses, but for $750 return, I'm not complaining. 110,000 airmiles used. I still have enough left for another trip to Europe at some time in the future. 

This is happening! I'll get to see some friends. I'll get to see some new places. And I'll get to hang out with a lot of people I rather like for ten days. 

But the thing I'm most excited about at the moment is transiting through Helsinki. 

It's the little things. 

Now to make the rest of the stuff happen. 

Today's song:

March Check In - April Goals

 I'm a day late with these, but I do find them useful. Just having some goals is never a bad thing. Also, with normal time resuming today, it means I have got a good time to mark the time. It's also six months until I go to Paris. I put down $1000 on the ten day writer's retreat part of it - now to make the rest of it happen. 

So last month's goals went like this:

1. An hour of exercise every day. 

This didn't quite go to plan, but I did remain active. Things did get out of whack with my trip to Darwin and starting a new job. But we managed this at least have the month. 

2. Read four books over the month. 

I did this - I did better than expected. Over the month I read:

• Women Talking by Miriam Toews
• Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
• Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver
• So Much Life Left Over by Louis de Bernieres
• The Autumn of the Ace by Louis de Bernieres

Challenge complete. 

3. Save $2000.

Done. 

4. No ice cream.

Yeah, didn't happen. Time in Darwin means ice cream was required. I have cut my ice cream consumption down a lot. 

5. Write some fiction at least 20 days over the months. 

Also didn't happen. On the good side, I did get a solid 3000 word draft of an article out, and I'm thinking of writing a historical piece over Easter for BackStory Journal. They have taken everything I've submitted to them - no idea why. Just need an idea. 

6. Get to bed by midnight. 

I've been pretty good with this one. Although not perfect, I've been getting to bed a bit earlier - and I'm pleased about this. 

And my April Goals: 

1. An hour of exercise every day. (for at least 20 days of the month)

Since I had COVID last year my exercise has slacked off a bit. I'm back feeling fine so there is no excuse. And I know what to expect in Darwin, even if this is a long swim or walk in the evening. 

2. Read four books over the month. 

I'll keep this one too. I like getting through books and this keeps me accountable. I might even finish that dreadul Beautiful World, Where Are You?...

3. Save $2000.

I have to keep doing this (even if the funds go directly into paying for holiday stuff. 

4. Write some fiction at least 20 days over the months. 

I feel like it is time to get back to this. I feel like my next novel push is about to come on. Let's hope so. 

5.  Have somebody over in my flat. 

The other thing that rarely happens around here is having somebody over - even if it's carrying out a reflexology treatment. It also gives me an excuse to clean up more thoroughly. 

I'll let you know how I get on at the end of the month. 

6. Stretch more

I am really not very bendy. It's time to stretch more. This morning, at the gym, I took myself through a good 20 minute stretch session. I should be doing this daily. I won't put a number on it, but if I could stretch a few times a week, I'd be in a better position. 

Today's song: 

Sunday Stealing: The Tuesday Four

 I spent part of the afternoon at a friend's place with one of her foster kittens asleep on my chest. I renamed the cat Belly - short for Beelzebub. I can't take him home as Lucifer would eat him, but gee it was a near perfect afternoon. 

Anyway, because of this, I'm all dopey and happy and don't feel like writing. 

But I will do this. Questions, as always, have been provided by Bev at Sunday Stealing. 

1.Are you currently reading a book you'd like to tell us about? Maybe a TV program you can recommend to us?

On audiobook, I'm listening to Charles Dickens' David Copperfield. On paper, I'm still slogging through Sally Rooney's Beautiful World, Where Are You, but I also need to start Song of the Sun God by Shankari Chandran for book group soon. 

2. Are you a Jane Austen fan? So many seem to be. If you are what is your favorite book and who is your favorite character.  If you aren't a fan, is there an author you especially like to read? Favorite character..etc?

I love Jane Austen. Pride and Prejudice is my favourite, followed closely by Sense and Sensibility. I feel for Eleanor in the latter and of course I love Elizabeth Bennet. But I also like Anne Elliot out of Persuasion. And don't get me started on Sanditon. Yes, it's an adaption, but Sidney Parker. oh, my...

3.  How do you spend your time during the day?  Do you set apart time to read, watch TV, study?

I work office hours during the week. I also try to make time to exercise, and read, and knit, and watch telly. I like keeping busy. 

4. Have your beliefs changed in your life time?

Not really. I'm still a big lefty. The big change in me since childhood is that I'm no longer a Christian. I believe in an overarching God, or Gods - but not the sanctity of Jesus. That never really made sense to me. 

5. What are your interests and hobbies? .. reading? writing? collecting?

• Reading
• Writing
• Cinema and Theatre
• Cuddling cats
• Planning holidays in my head
• Politics
• And I do the Wordle every day. 

6 How much time a week/day/month do you devote to your interests?

A good hour a day on any given day. 

7. Do you share your interests with anyone?

I'm always up to talk reading, writing, films, plays, books and politics. I'm known for it. 

8.Tell us why you enjoy your hobby, pastimes or interests.

I like having my mind stretched, which is what reading, writing, films and books tend to do for you. 

9. What emotions and feelings does summer conjure up for you?

Fear - I hate the heat - which is a bit ironic since I'm spending a lot of time in Darwin over the next few months. I was up there last week. 33 degrees Centigrade and 95% humidity. It was truly awful. 

10. What's summer weather like in your neck of the woods?

An average Summer in Melbourne is rather nice. Dry, sunny days that sit around 30 degrees Centigrade, with a sea breeze cooling things off in the evening. The last few years, the Summer has been milder and more humid thanks to La Nina. I prefer Adelaide Summers which are hotter and drier. I love that in Adelaide in summer you can get your sheets dry on the clothesline in around 30 minutes. 

11. Got some special summer meals you and your family enjoy?

No. I just eat more salad in Summer. And cold meat. 

12. What do you enjoy doing in summer? Sports, trips.. do you go on vacation?

I really don't like summer that much - prefer Autumn (Fall) and Winter. I'm that sort of person. 

13. Did your parents have things better than you today?

In some ways yes. In some ways no. I'll leave it at that. 

14. What time period would you rather live in.. or are you okay with today?

I'm okay with today, but it would be good to go back to the seventies and try and make some better environmental decisions that could mean we weren't in the predicament we're in now. 

15. What changes would you make for our time to make it nicer/better to live in?

Oh, that is a difficult question. How can you teach respect and decency, and that we're all in this together? Surely it can't be that hard. 

Today's song: