★★★★
Joan and Tom have been married for many years. When Joan is unexpectedly diagnosed with breast cancer, the course of her treatment shines a light on their relationship as they are faced with the challenges that lie ahead.
Classification: 12A
An intimate and layered portrayal, this film from directors Lisa Barros D'Sa and Glenn Leyburn is an incredible showcase of the pain cancer brings both physically and emotionally. Ordinary Love, however, finds its hope in the personal and deeply human performances from Lesley Manville and Liam Neeson as they create a beautiful portrait of humanity from Owen McCafferty's script. With subtle details to Joan and Tom's marriage, their history and quirks, the fact that they are both trying to stay in shape with couples walks and Fitbits, these two characters feel as real as your parents, your neighbours, and your friends. The drama is grounded in that genuine execution from the filmmakers, there is no melodrama or award baiting theatrics, just the harsh realities which envelop the audience in the unavoidable facts of how cancer eats away at every facet of your life.
There are no survivors to cancer, you may have successful surgeries, go into remission but that pain destroys far more than your body, it infects your loved ones with unbearable emotional pain and you don't get to go back to the way things were. What makes Ordinary Love so powerful is how this mundane, simple existence of Tom and Joan is shaken to its core with the most clinical news; Joan has breast cancer. The audience follows Joan step by step, from cautious optimism, resounding dread, to harsh pain and agony and Manville's performance as Joan is a powerhouse with her opening herself completely to the audience. Allowing for real catharsis for the audience and actors, to see these emotional journies in the most realistic ways, the love and the anger and the utter helplessness you can feel in the face of the disease. Despite how bleak it can seem in the darkest points the beauty of the human spirit refuses to dim as Tom and Joan's connection to one another braves against the roughest of obstacles.
Joan's cancer isn't said to be terminal by her doctors but that doesn't make the hardships any less difficult to watch or endure. Ordinary Love displays so perfectly how your entire world shifts and revolves around these uncertainties, that even the 'victories' can feel shallow and that cancer never truly leaves you. Joan befriends a man named Peter played by David Wilmot who is terminal and his outlook to it all is not to let the disease rob you of yourself. Cancer means surgeries, chemotherapy, emotional and physical pain as your body becomes a prison to your suffering but its love for one another and yourself that makes it possible to survive it all. Neeson's performance as Tom is a classic stubborn hiding his fear performance, he both wants to deny and demand all knowledge about his wife's illness but struggles to acknowledge Joan's own feelings to the dilemma. The script creates predictable drama and conflict between Tom and Joan but it serves to the unfortunate universal experiences, the bickering and the regrets but also how these difficult moments help build us to be stronger.
It's remarkable in how humble Ordinary Love executes its powerful message, nothing about the film is inauthentic to the truth behind this all too common story. Great direction bolstered by visceral performances from both Manville and Neeson and captured by the simple beauty from Piers McGrail's cinematography and David Holmes's touching, soulful score. This is a film that can cut past the layers of disbelief and transport audiences directly back into their reality, experiencing a story that celebrates the simplicity of life and the importance to fight for it.
Director: #LisaBarrosDSa and #GlennLeyburn
Cast: #LiamNeeson, #LesleyManville, #DavidWilmot, #AmitShah
Release Date: November 6th 2019
Trailer:
Written review copyright ©CoreyBullochReviews
Images from the Internet Movie Database, Synopsis from Google
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