With The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, Quartet and now Song for Marion, ensemble comedies for an older audience are in the midst of a revival. Each feature displays comparable components: a group gathering together as the vagaries of ageing threaten one of their number, a cantankerous sort inspired to embrace what is left of their days, and the reinvigorating influence of youth in the face of mortality. Similar outcomes, of the feel-good, crowd-pleasing and life-affirming variety, also await.
In writer/director Paul Andrew Williams’ (Cherry Tree Lane) addition to the fold, the titular Marion (Vanessa Redgrave, Coriolanus) is fighting a losing battle with cancer, much to the dismay of her belligerent husband Arthur (Terence Stamp, The Adjustment Bureau). As her illness worsens, few things can alleviate the mental impact of her condition like her one remaining past-time – crooning pop and rock tunes with the community choir of similarly elderly singers, as instructed by a youthful music teacher (Gemma Arterton, Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters).
The progression of the narrative – centred on Arthur’s inability to understand the joy that singing such unexpected songs brings to Marion, until tragedy instigates his emotional awakening – is evident and formulaic, however Song for Marion proves more than a senior-focused weepie adapting the karaoke leanings of TV’s Glee for a more mature demographic. Amidst the gentle drama, which also tackles the distance between Arthur and his adult son, James (Christopher Eccleston, Amelia) sits sparks of warmth, wit and wisdom, even if it has all been done before.
While reminiscent of thematically similar efforts The Full Monty, Brassed Off and Calendar Girls, Williams displays confidence and delicacy with the balance of irreverence and solemnity that drives the film. Sentimentality is at the fore, as telegraphed by the song choices – Cindy Lauper’s ‘True Colours’ ranking among the most pointed and obvious, though cheekier options including Motorhead’s ‘Ace of Spades’ and Salt-n-Pepa’s ‘Let’s Talk About Sex’ also feature – and the competently crafted end result may be heavily reliant on manipulating the emotions of the audience in a tender and affecting fashion, but it also boasts earnest and empathetic characters.
The efforts of Stamp and Redgrave are paramount in this regard – the former a stoic presence in a too-rare leading role, the latter expressive as his ailing opposite, and both fluid in their abilities to embody strength and vulnerability. That this is their first-ever screen pairing is surprising; their chemistry and charm in carrying an otherwise sweet and sincere film certainly isn’t.
Rating: 3 stars out of 5
Song for Marion
Director: Paul Andrew Williams
UK, 2012, 93 min
Release date: April 25
Distributor: Hopscotch
Rated: PG
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