This movie…the writing…Bill’s performance has struck such a profound chord in myself…a man in his mid 50’s. A man that too often contemplates his mortality. It was brilliant and beautiful !!!
Absolute amazing film. The performance by Bill Nighy is absolutely exquisite. The way the movie was filmed is so stylistic and perfect for the genre. To think this movie came out in 2022 is astounding… it reminds me so much of classic movies of the 40s and 50s. The soundtrack is also amazing. The script and message it conveys, really does make you think. This is simply a modern classic in every way. If you have yet to see it, take a little time out from your own life to watch something that may truly question your approach to the rest of your life.
To date, I think his best performance[s] have been in the Worricker Trilogy but I'm an admirer of all his work, including the Charles Paris radio plays. Looking forward to this.
Very delicate movie. I felt at times the script would shatter if the pace went any faster or actors spoke or moved quicker. Like a very delicate dessert, you savour it… Oh! But the flavor!!! Divine ❤
Have seen it twice , such a beautiful moving film. Wonderful filmed . All actors brilliant but Bill Nighy is amazing , his expressions phenomenal. Oscar worth ! When he sings …so moving I was in tears and when his face cracks open with a wonderful smile you love him . Extraordinary 🏆
Not seen it yet but just observing this makes me really looking forward to seeing the movie soon. As a seasoned Japanese man, I of course, know Kurosawa's 'Ikiru' (Living) and understand its message has been profoundly imprinted in my psychology. How? Well, as an admirably beautiful form of independent thinking. Yes, independent thinking not individual thinking. And I believe one can and want to establish such a noble attitude and vision even while caught in a miserable situation of life in which you have less control of. Everyone is entitled to experience living while living...
"that almost comic degree of restraint" - yes Bill has done that in several films (though NOT with Billy Mack!!!). Ishiguro specialised in that in "Remains of the Day". "there's a kind of heroism in there somehow" - quite so!!! "that kind of Englishness is a metaphor for something that is universal in human beings" "celebrating the essence of Ikuru" "with Bill Nighy, the Englishness took care of itself" - !!! "He's institutionalised in grief" - "he's formed a cult of one" - "he communicates from that pain" "there was a younger-generation person who was in danger of becoming rather like Mr Williams" "He could perhaps transcend that..." "I wanted him to be the recipient of some spark of inspiration" make something of a modest and limited life "not too much fun and laughter ... rather like church" "to demonstrate something about human existence" "procrastination - the corrosive element in our lives" "I'm very, very. very, very proud to be a paert of all of this" "He has decided to grasp life, and we have to admire him for it"
It really does seem like a shame to me as well, in the sense that he's missing something of great reward to the viewer. Perhaps he has a thing about it, that it would be a hindrance for him, and that avoiding seeing those movies helps him feel less self-conscious about his acting. Or...perhaps he's not really a movie-goer at all!
The theme of 'Living' is regret. In the same vein as 'The Remains of the Day'. Can't help wondering how Anthony Hopkins would have done in the role of Mr. Williams.
The choices were offered to Mr Williams, albeit with a nice twist. It was out of great "Good Samaritan" kindness and mercy and sympathy that Mr Sutherland took Mr Williams to "live" through wine, women and song. But as Williams started to sing "the Rowan tree" (the tree the ancient Scots invoked against evil spirits and witchrcaft), Williams changed his own path, and that of Mr Sutherland too (or at least he gave the latter the chance to change). Mr Williams decided to live his life for others, using the power at his disposal (plus making more physical effort than his health would actually allow). Now one slight worry about the film is that the achievement of a new playground where there was a wartime ruin with sewage leaking seems at first glance quite a small one. But the film itself tells us that it's small but symbolic and significant. But you see the metaphor - the building out of the rubble ended the consequence of an evil war and allowed a new generation of children to move forward (the song "the Rowan Tree" also refers to children playing in its shade, the rowan being a "bonnie" tree - which means pretty, but also full of goodness). The ladies who had lobbied for the play area treated Mr Williams as a near-saint, and indeed he did something typically saintly, with muscular Christianity and selfless sacrifice. Now the special part about all this (as your question suggests) is that the movie is a piece of art that crosses the boundary into our own lives. Who can achieve that? The Holy Spirit can. He gives us signs through Scripture and nature and Rapture, but also through culture, including film and music. The Holy Spirit through culture is special because He brings us to Father and Son, through the experiences of Jesus, who was (also) a human being and understands us and loves us and was one of us and chose to die for us. So the Holy Spirit post-Resurrection/Ascension, known as the Paraclete, Comforter, Spirit of Love and Truth and so on knows how to make art and music transcend into something deeper. That is why you ask your question, but it is also why you know the answer. True joy comes together with love and truth and mercy and forgiveness and selflessness and help for others, and all of the other things that the Trinity can offer us. Of course, if you accept that "package" (I did, and felt like a fool for not having wanted those great gifts previously), then you (also) die happily because you know it is not the end. But it means accepting Jesus as the Saviour who paid the price of sin for us... Living each day as if it might be the last (on Earth) is still what I do, having faced a situation not so different from the one that faced Mr Williams in the movie. Not going to bed feeling guility, going to bed having hurt as few people as possible and helped as many as possible, going to bed having loved (in the truest sense) and laughed and been grateful... Not least for the amazing planet that we have, and the potential divinity that lies within humanity...
Stoicism teaches the development of self-control and fortitude as a means of overcoming destructive emotions; the philosophy holds that becoming a clear and unbiased thinker allows one to understand the universal reason (logos).
The Director Oliver Hermanus was born on 26 May 1983 in Cape Town, South Africa. He is a director and writer, known for Moffie (2019), Beauty (2011) and Shirley Adams (2009).
This movie…the writing…Bill’s performance has struck such a profound chord in myself…a man in his mid 50’s. A man that too often contemplates his mortality. It was brilliant and beautiful !!!
Absolute amazing film. The performance by Bill Nighy is absolutely exquisite. The way the movie was filmed is so stylistic and perfect for the genre. To think this movie came out in 2022 is astounding… it reminds me so much of classic movies of the 40s and 50s. The soundtrack is also amazing. The script and message it conveys, really does make you think. This is simply a modern classic in every way. If you have yet to see it, take a little time out from your own life to watch something that may truly question your approach to the rest of your life.
Quite a extraordinary film, i saw it yesterday and it was truly something else!, Bill Nighy’s best performance.
great to hear. love nighy.
To date, I think his best performance[s] have been in the Worricker Trilogy but I'm an admirer of all his work, including the Charles Paris radio plays. Looking forward to this.
Will watch it now
I was so moved by this film. Bill Nighy never disappoints, but he was exceptional in Living.
A lovely movie. A real experience. Nighy, a treasure, is superb as always.
Very delicate movie. I felt at times the script would shatter if the pace went any faster or actors spoke or moved quicker. Like a very delicate dessert, you savour it… Oh! But the flavor!!! Divine ❤
Exactly the way you put it, marvelous film
Absolute perfect comment!
Have seen it twice , such a beautiful moving film. Wonderful filmed . All actors brilliant but Bill Nighy is amazing , his expressions phenomenal. Oscar worth ! When he sings …so moving I was in tears and when his face cracks open with a wonderful smile you love him . Extraordinary 🏆
Saw the movie yesterday.
This is his finest performance in a small gem of a movie.
Not seen it yet but just observing this makes me really looking forward to seeing the movie soon.
As a seasoned Japanese man, I of course, know Kurosawa's 'Ikiru' (Living) and understand its message has been profoundly imprinted in my psychology. How? Well, as an admirably beautiful form of independent thinking. Yes, independent thinking not individual thinking. And I believe one can and want to establish such a noble attitude and vision even while caught in a miserable situation of life in which you have less control of. Everyone is entitled to experience living while living...
Wonderful wonderful film and soundtrack! A thing of understated beauty.
I loved this film. Extraordinary.
This is an exceptional film. Brilliant to see a glimpse into what went into making this.
Brilliant film… beautifully acted, visually lovely… rang true for me… cried!
"that almost comic degree of restraint" - yes Bill has done that in several films (though NOT with Billy Mack!!!). Ishiguro specialised in that in "Remains of the Day".
"there's a kind of heroism in there somehow" - quite so!!!
"that kind of Englishness is a metaphor for something that is universal in human beings"
"celebrating the essence of Ikuru"
"with Bill Nighy, the Englishness took care of itself" - !!!
"He's institutionalised in grief" - "he's formed a cult of one" - "he communicates from that pain"
"there was a younger-generation person who was in danger of becoming rather like Mr Williams"
"He could perhaps transcend that..."
"I wanted him to be the recipient of some spark of inspiration"
make something of a modest and limited life
"not too much fun and laughter ... rather like church"
"to demonstrate something about human existence"
"procrastination - the corrosive element in our lives"
"I'm very, very. very, very proud to be a paert of all of this"
"He has decided to grasp life, and we have to admire him for it"
I saw the movie yesterday. It's beautiful.
Me. To. Great. Film and. Rowan. Tree.
I loved the film. I however, found myself quite emotional to see a coffin with Bill Nighy’s photo on it. I have a dream of singing with Bill someday.
Great performance by Bill and I thought the movie was made in a fascinating way. I didn't take my eyes off it which is unusual for me
Looking forward to watch this!!!
Love Bill Nighy, loved LIVING. Highly recommended.
A wonderfull film and one that I can appreciate at 65 but would have meant just as much had I seen it at 25.
A watched this movie last night and it is very excellent. This is a very high quality film.
Great film. Nighy is brilliant. On an unrelated note, Kazuo is 68 and looks 48.
It's a shame he does not watch the films he is in, it is a beautiful film.
It really does seem like a shame to me as well, in the sense that he's missing something of great reward to the viewer. Perhaps he has a thing about it, that it would be a hindrance for him, and that avoiding seeing those movies helps him feel less self-conscious about his acting. Or...perhaps he's not really a movie-goer at all!
Saw this recently, a beautifully crafted film.
Can’t believe Bill is called Bill & not William - he’s so sophisticated
He looks like Pan Tau in this hat, haha. Looking forward to seeing it!
Smashing 🎉🎉🎉 ❤❤❤ Movie !!! Bill !!! Bill !!! Bill !!!
Beautiful film
where can one watch this fine movie?
Took me a while to figure out who 'Bull' was.
That always throws me for a loop too.
The theme of 'Living' is regret. In the same vein as 'The Remains of the Day'. Can't help wondering how Anthony Hopkins would have done in the role of Mr. Williams.
Dont make me imagine it... i would have been mind blowing
But surely no bowler hatted individual of the period would have worn his hair so long at the back as I noticed in one shot of Bill Nighy!
How should I live my life in order to die happily?
Live. To. The. Full
The choices were offered to Mr Williams, albeit with a nice twist.
It was out of great "Good Samaritan" kindness and mercy and sympathy that Mr Sutherland took Mr Williams to "live" through wine, women and song.
But as Williams started to sing "the Rowan tree" (the tree the ancient Scots invoked against evil spirits and witchrcaft), Williams changed his own path, and that of Mr Sutherland too (or at least he gave the latter the chance to change).
Mr Williams decided to live his life for others, using the power at his disposal (plus making more physical effort than his health would actually allow).
Now one slight worry about the film is that the achievement of a new playground where there was a wartime ruin with sewage leaking seems at first glance quite a small one.
But the film itself tells us that it's small but symbolic and significant.
But you see the metaphor - the building out of the rubble ended the consequence of an evil war and allowed a new generation of children to move forward (the song "the Rowan Tree" also refers to children playing in its shade, the rowan being a "bonnie" tree - which means pretty, but also full of goodness).
The ladies who had lobbied for the play area treated Mr Williams as a near-saint, and indeed he did something typically saintly, with muscular Christianity and selfless sacrifice.
Now the special part about all this (as your question suggests) is that the movie is a piece of art that crosses the boundary into our own lives.
Who can achieve that? The Holy Spirit can.
He gives us signs through Scripture and nature and Rapture, but also through culture, including film and music.
The Holy Spirit through culture is special because He brings us to Father and Son, through the experiences of Jesus, who was (also) a human being and understands us and loves us and was one of us and chose to die for us.
So the Holy Spirit post-Resurrection/Ascension, known as the Paraclete, Comforter, Spirit of Love and Truth and so on knows how to make art and music transcend into something deeper. That is why you ask your question, but it is also why you know the answer.
True joy comes together with love and truth and mercy and forgiveness and selflessness and help for others, and all of the other things that the Trinity can offer us.
Of course, if you accept that "package" (I did, and felt like a fool for not having wanted those great gifts previously), then you (also) die happily because you know it is not the end.
But it means accepting Jesus as the Saviour who paid the price of sin for us...
Living each day as if it might be the last (on Earth) is still what I do, having faced a situation not so different from the one that faced Mr Williams in the movie.
Not going to bed feeling guility, going to bed having hurt as few people as possible and helped as many as possible, going to bed having loved (in the truest sense) and laughed and been grateful...
Not least for the amazing planet that we have, and the potential divinity that lies within humanity...
Aldous Huxley’s The Island has mynah birds repeatedly calling out, “Here and now!” To be present and conscious in each moment. Not a “phone zombie”.
🙏🏻Stoic🙏🏻
To watch it?
Stoicism teaches the development of self-control and fortitude as a means of overcoming destructive emotions; the philosophy holds that becoming a clear and unbiased thinker allows one to understand the universal reason (logos).
This film copies Last Holiday with Alec Guinness
Why though? Ikiru didn't need a remake.
But this was really well done. Still relatable
Well, in that case, why did Kurosawa make a film adaptation of Leo Tolstoy's The Death of Ivan Ilyich, in 1952... in Japanese?
The Director Oliver Hermanus was born on 26 May 1983 in Cape Town, South Africa. He is a director and writer, known for Moffie (2019), Beauty (2011) and Shirley Adams (2009).