Continuing my Scottish deep immersion, Ive just watched The Winter Guest starring Emma Thompson and her mother, who played her mother. The film is based in the East Neuk of Fife at Pittenweem and Elie, which look wonderful in the middle of winter. Indeed it is so cold that the sea is frozen and ice is everywhere. Despite this Emma Thompson sits around moping in just her nightdress even though the heating is broken in her house, while others seem to get just a bit chilly spending all day out of doors. I must be turning into a soft southerner as I was freezing just watching the film. Emma is moping because her partner died and she doesnt know what to do with her life, not least as her mother drives her to despair (as would anyone called Cherub all the time). Meantime her schoolboy son is almost seduced by a feisty local girl with a wonderful portrayal of first love and lust. The other pairs of characters are two pre-pubescent boys skiving off school whose banter is just brilliant, and two elderly women who spend their time going from funeral to funeral, dreaming of what post-interment repast might be available. I remember women like that from my youth though doubt they were so funny as these. The setting makes you want to pack a dozen jumpers, stock up on thermals and book a train for January. But I worry for the boys as they wander out on the frozen sea, with a haar coming in. The Winter Guest cost £3.00 from Fopp.
Posted on: Sun, 31 Aug 2014 20:16:39 +0000