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. 

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