Last Orders
Dir: Fred Schepisi
2001
*****
Fred Schepisi's 2001 adaptation of Graham Swift's 1996 Booker prize winning novel is one of the last great British drama films in recent years. It's a wonderful document of loss, love and friendship and England in many ways. The changes of social view, tradition, what is acceptable and what is expected are all addressed as are all the taboos we often don't like to discuss. The cast is unbeatable, starring Michael Caine, Bob Hoskins, Helen Mirren, David Hemmings, Tom Courtenay and Ray Winstone as the main characters, all giving the very best of performances. The style of the film is very of its time, between 1990 and the early 2000s, British films had this certain magic about them, a simple truth to them (not counting the bigger films made with only American money in mind). The last scene is full of deep emotion and is filmed beautifully. An overlooked gem.