The opening scene of this film is something not to be believed. We are aware that young Ralph, who is lying in the back seat of a car is not asleep. When the car stops, his mother, Lauren, and her male companion, proceed to engage in sex in the front seat. Just to imagine that anyone in its right mind would take such a chance, let alone, knowing one's son might get to see, or hear, what's going on, is beyond comprehension.
The relationship between Lauren and Harry Compton, higher ups in the British delegation in Swaziland, in the sixties, is on the border of collapse. Harry drinks too much and Lauren feels nothing for this man. When Lauren announces she is leaving father and son, she doesn't realize the effect it will cause on the young, and impressionable boy, who compensates his frustration with a nervous tic whenever he feels a stressful situation happening, or even on the alcoholic husband.
Harry goes to marry an American, Ruby, a kind woman who takes to the young boy, who refuses her attentions at first, but he ends up bonding with her because she turns out to be a real friend. To make matters worse, Harry has gotten to the point of no return. His drinking is killing him. Ralph pleads with a local doctor to prescribe pills to help his father, but obviously, all comes too late.
Richard E. Grant's directorial debut shows a man with a sensitivity for this drama, which we don't know if it's autobiographical, or maybe it might have been a story he might have witnessed during his childhood in that country. He gathered a cast of some of the best actors working in films today for this picture. By selecting "Camelot" as play the club is going to stage, makes perfect sense as this particular musical implies a bygone era that is fondly remembered.
Gabriel Byrne is fine as Harry. Miranda Richardson shows a cruelty beyond human comprehension as Lauren. Nicholas Hoult makes an impression as the sensitive Ralph. Julie Walters is perfect as Gwen. Celia Imrie, a fine actress is great fun to watch as Lady Riva Harwick.
"Wah-Wah" is an interesting film debut as it shows a talented actor that puts into practice what he learned in front of the camera.
The relationship between Lauren and Harry Compton, higher ups in the British delegation in Swaziland, in the sixties, is on the border of collapse. Harry drinks too much and Lauren feels nothing for this man. When Lauren announces she is leaving father and son, she doesn't realize the effect it will cause on the young, and impressionable boy, who compensates his frustration with a nervous tic whenever he feels a stressful situation happening, or even on the alcoholic husband.
Harry goes to marry an American, Ruby, a kind woman who takes to the young boy, who refuses her attentions at first, but he ends up bonding with her because she turns out to be a real friend. To make matters worse, Harry has gotten to the point of no return. His drinking is killing him. Ralph pleads with a local doctor to prescribe pills to help his father, but obviously, all comes too late.
Richard E. Grant's directorial debut shows a man with a sensitivity for this drama, which we don't know if it's autobiographical, or maybe it might have been a story he might have witnessed during his childhood in that country. He gathered a cast of some of the best actors working in films today for this picture. By selecting "Camelot" as play the club is going to stage, makes perfect sense as this particular musical implies a bygone era that is fondly remembered.
Gabriel Byrne is fine as Harry. Miranda Richardson shows a cruelty beyond human comprehension as Lauren. Nicholas Hoult makes an impression as the sensitive Ralph. Julie Walters is perfect as Gwen. Celia Imrie, a fine actress is great fun to watch as Lady Riva Harwick.
"Wah-Wah" is an interesting film debut as it shows a talented actor that puts into practice what he learned in front of the camera.