Review: Allelujah

Allelujah begins very much like the usual kind of light-hearted British comedy, populated by knights and dames of the acting profession, that Village Theatre audiences love so much.

Beloved ageing thespians play the residents of a geriatric ward in a small Yorkshire hospital, advancing years doing little to diminish the theatre-trained voices of Derek Jacobi and Judi Dench, while other experienced players portray a salty collection of Last of the Summer Wine refugees. A cast of fresh new faces play the idealistic hospital staff, doing everything they can to brighten the remaining days of their patients.

Bally Gill plays young Doctor Valentine, his actual Indian surname being unpronounceable to colleagues and residents, who opens the film monologuing about his genuine love for old people and passion for looking after them. Jesse Akele plays Nurse Pinkney, relentlessly cheerful and seemingly impervious to any negativity her unwavering rays of sunshine occasionally provoke.

And in charge of them all is Jennifer Saunders as the formidable and unflappable Sister Gilpin, a tough Northern lass who’s seen it all in the National Health System, but still manages to run an efficient ward despite every government cut back and challenge.

But when Colin Colman (Russell Tovey), a consultant to the health minister, visits his recently admitted father Joe (David Bradley), his agenda is also to recommend the hospital for closure as part of the government’s plan to dismantle the NHS.

As staff and volunteers struggle to save the venerable institution, Colin begins to rediscover unexpected common ground with his father.

By this point any audience, no doubt charmed by this collection of delightful characters, would be forgiven for thinking that they have seen this all before. But don’t be fooled, this familiar sounding story takes a completely unexpected turn into some very dark territory indeed. In fact, the surprising “fourth wall breaking” conclusion is likely to leave you a little shaken and humbled.

Based on the 2018 play by Alan Bennett, this film adaptation has been updated to address the pandemic, which began only a year later, making this an even more relevant experience. As to be expected, the performances are universally excellent, with comedian Jennifer Saunders making the strongest impression, despite being surrounded by some stellar veteran talent. Predictably, the most affecting scenes are the interactions between residents and staff. Sister Gilpin dances with irascible old Joe Colman, not only providing unorthodox exercise and circulatory therapy, but much-needed physical contact.

Meanwhile Dr Valentine’s deeply respectful discussions about literature with Jacobi’s former headmaster Ambrose, allows these actors from opposite ends of their careers to shine, while also setting up a plot line that leads to a tragic conclusion.

The intrusion of a documentary team eager to show the true side of a hospital under threat provides even more opportunity for drama and comedy, as residents take full advantage of a rare opportunity to speak their minds. The unexpected passing of a couple of patients during filming provides extra poignancy, and embarrassment for the hospital administration as the families insist on full investigations.

Popular entertainment generally sugarcoats the issues associated with elderly care, but this film manages to provide both sides: a warm, utterly engaging comedy drama, followed by an ice-cold bed bath. In terms of how we see the elderly, and the valiant people working within a system that often fails to care for them, Allelujah is a recommended prescription.

For an escape into family audience fantasy, the surprise hit The Portable Door screens at the Village Theatre tonight. Mixing corporate manoeuvring with arcane sorcery, the casting continues this week’s Anzac spirit with an alliance of great New Zealand and Australian talent. Headed by Sam Neill, this film will provide a Harry Potter fix with an antipodean slant.

Screening Schedule - April to May

SAT 29th

2:00 RAINY DAY ONLY MATINEE - see below

7:30 80 for Brady (M)

Sun 21 4:00 Met Opera: Fedora (M) $35/$30

7:30 Shackleton: The Greatest Story of Survival (PG) FINAL

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN THIS PROGRAMME:

MEMBERSHIP DRIVE: 10am-1pm

We are holding another membership info day & chance to sign up. Complimentary tea/coffee & a chance to watch trailers for upcoming films & familiarise yourself with the theatre. See you there!!

SATURDAYS

RAINY DAY ONLY MATINEES

Saturdays at 2pm - if it’s rainy we will hold a pop-up family fun movie - announced via our website/Facebook/Instagram pages & tickets will be available from 11am online.

SUN 14 th

Movie Descriptions

SUPER MARIO BROS MOVIE 2D (PG) 1hr30m ENCORE

Chris Pratt is the voice of Nintendo mascot Super Mario in this video-game-to-film adaptation from Illumination. Also features the voice of Anya Taylor-Joy as Princess Peach and Seth Rogen as Donkey.

RED, WHITE & BRASS (PG) Comedy/Kids/Family/Sport 1hr30m

To score free tickets to watch Tonga play France in the 2011 Rugby World Cup, a group of Tongans form a brass band in this New Zealand feature inspired by a true story.

MET OPERA: FEDORA (Giordano) (M) 2hr45m

Giordano’s exhilarating drama Fedora returns to the Met for the first time in 25 years. A 19th-century princess falls in love with her fiancé’s murderer, Count Loris, sung by tenor Piotr Beczała.

GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY: VOL 3 (M) 2hr30m

Our beloved band of misfits are looking a bit different these days. Peter Quill, still reeling from the loss of Gamora, must rally his team around him to defend the universe along with protecting one of their own.

MAVKA: THE FOREST SONG (PG) Adventure/Fantasy 1hr40m

In this animated fantasy adventure, Mavka faces an impossible choice between love and her duty as guardian to the Heart of the Forest, when she falls for a human.

MOTHER’S DAY SPECIAL EVENT: Bring your mum/nana/special person along to watch 80 for Brady. Doors open 3.30 for afternoon tea, followed by movie at 4.30. Tickets $20/$15 with chance to win spot prizes & a hamper for your mum. Book online to avoid missing out!

TÁR (M) Drama/Music 2hr40m ENCORE

We meet German Orchestra conductor Lydia Tár (Cate Blanchett) at the height of her career, as she’s preparing both a book launch and muchanticipated live performance of Mahler’s Fifth Symphony.

JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 4 (R16) Action/Thriller 2hr50m Keanu Reeves and director Chad Stahelski return for this fourth entry in the John Wick saga, joined by screen legends Lance Reddick and Donnie Yen.

80 FOR BRADY (M) Drama/Sport 1hr40m

Screen legends Sally Field, Lily Tomlin, Jane Fonda and Rita Moreno star in this film about a group of friends who make it their life-long mission to go to the Super Bowl and meet NFL superstar Tom Brady.

BROKER (M) South Korean Drama 2hr10m (SUBTITLES)

In an award-winning performance, Song Kangho leads the latest film from Hirokazu Kore-eda set in a place where boxes are left out for people to anonymously drop off their unwanted babies.

SHACKLETON: THE GREATEST STORY OF SURVIVAL (PG) 1hr30m

The true story of polar explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton and the crew of the Endurance . 28 lost adventurers must fight for their lives after their only lifeline is destroyed in the most uninhabitable place on Earth.