Sometimes Always Never

This is one of those British comedies populated with eccentric characters that feels so light and subtle that it threatens to blow away at the slightest breeze like the plastic bag in AMERICAN BEAUTY. I've seen souflees with more density. However, I am giving this a slight recommendation because, as a Words With Friends enthusiast, I couldn't help but be charmed at Scrabble being at the heart and soul of this movie. Words I learned about and use regularly during my challenges are highlighted here, which inevitably brought a smile to my face. I do wish there was a bit more energy and emotion here. Even during the moments in which the characters are mad at each other, it feels a bit too safe and tidy. It's like watching THE GREAT BRITISH BAKE OFF when you desperately want a little TOP CHEF or HELL'S KITCHEN drama thrown in to the mix. The cast is dependable if not overly inspired, just like the movie itself. Those of you who enjoy British comedies may find more to appreciate than the average viewer. - Jeff Marshall, Movie Blogger (Facebook)

Slow slow slow…. Annoying characters and this plods along till you dont care

It covers some of what people go through when a child goes missing. The toll it takes on the relationships that are left behind.

This is a very quirky film, which struck me as a bit like a play only obviously a film version of it I suppose. It seemed somehow quite touching, being primarily about a father trying to re-connect with his son, spending time with him and sharing family tales - imparting his wisdom. In some scenes there's not much dialogue, thus it can be pretty quiet, which may bore some people but it does create a certain atmosphere. I like the fact most of the settings feature quite stylishly coloured surroundings (think bright colours and funky wallpaper). I thought symmetry played quite an important part in the cinematography somehow. Speaking of cinematography, I liked the cats eyes type shots - panoramas of sometimes desolate landscapes. It has quite a British feel to it too, unsurprisingly. If your a fan of the wordplay game Scrabble, then I reckon you would enjoy this film. Also, if your wondering about the title of the film, it is specifically explained (i.e. what it means) during the film. Bill Nighy, Sam Riley and Alice Lowe both give very decent performances, in my opinion (also present are Jenny Agutter and Tim McInnerny). There are some amusing lines of dialogue, though I'd say its more of a quirky drama than an 'out and out' comedy film as such. The music featured is also quite poignant and helped add to the atmosphere, I felt. Yes, I'd definitely recommend this film - I thought it was both quite nicely understated and surprisingly touching.

Sometimes Always Never (2019), directed by Carl Hunter and written by Frank Cottrell Boyce, is a quirky dramatic mystery with touches of comedy. It stars Bill Nighy (Alan), Sam Riley (Peter), Alice Lowe (Sue, Peter's wife), Jenny Agutter (Margaret), Tom McInnerny (Arthur), and Louis Healy (Jack, Peter's son). Nighy plays Alan, an articulate, dapperly dressed widower, a tailor by profession, who moves in temporarily with his adult son Peter and his family. Years ago, Alan's eldest son Michael walks out on the family over a game of Scrabble and is never heard of since. Alan embarks on a decades long search to find him which proves fruitless. The film opens with him handing out flyers of his missing son Michael. When a body turns up, Alan and his adult son Peter must identify the remains. Alan's tenuous relationship with his second son is put to the test. Is the body belonging to his son Michael? Can Alan and his family have closure? Is Michael still alive which Alan suspects when he encounters an online Scrabble player who uses the word "Zo" like his son did so many years ago? The film is full of twists and turns which fuels the dramatic tension of the film. Nighy's physical characteristics and social attributes - his lankiness, deep voice, calm demeanor, intelligence, and social graces renders a sympathetic nuanced portrait of an elderly man mourning the lost of a son. It's a well acted film and all the characters have their moments to shine and show their mettle. The theme of the sudden death of a relationship figures prominently in the narrative and makes the film relatable to a wide audience. Who hasn't suffered the loss of someone significant or meaningful in their lives? The narrative of the long lost son is juxtaposed against the narrative of Alan's undying search for his lost son Michael and his relationship with his second son Peter which is simmering with tensions which fuels the dramatic tension in the film. It's an appealing film beautifully shot and acted with an intriguing story line. The motif of language and connecting runs through the film providing the film with a cohesive structure. The game Scrabble features prominently in the film which not only serves as a means of fostering and not fostering communication and connection but is the clue to solving the mystery of Michael. Alan is a master at the game and in one of the most quirkiest scenes in the film is when he hustles a couple in game with a view to shaking down Arthur, Margaret's husband, out of two hundred British pounds. One of the most powerful scenes in the film is the scene involving Alan and the coroner behind an opaque glassed paneled door which they have entered to identify the remains, only the shadows of their silhouettes are visible. It's an intriguing film because it is in essence a re-working of the biblical Jesus parable of The Prodigal Son which appears in Luke 15:11–32 which crops up in the text of the film. But it's more than a dramatic mystery but a 'coming of together' film where a family marred by tragedy comes together to heal and bond, and get on with the job of living. But, it's also a film about love and redemption. I enjoyed seeing the growing affection between grand-father and grand-son take root, and how Alan and Peter are eventually reconciled. If you are a fan of the stellar cast like me, you'll enjoy the film for its dramatic acting performances. If you are a fan of foreign films, you'll like it for its style of cinematic filmmaking and story telling. If you are a fan of dramatic mysteries, you'll like the film for its genre. There's much to recommend it. Do see it for you won't be disappointed.

Kind of typical for a British film. A bit broody with lingering silent scenes. A dry sense of humor. Entertaining enough in its own way. Bill Nighy does his usual good job.

I love Bill Nighy's work and if you do also, this is a prime example of why we do.

Beautifully shot and a heartwarming ending, with some witty writing to boot.

Impressive visually and comedically successful at points. Can't help but feel as if the performances were subdued and the characters not as charming as they clearly hoped to make them. The visuals are honestly the most notable thing, when I think in most films they should be supplementary. I don't think that style is a substitute for substance in this case, despite there being enough substance for a somewhat satisfying experience. At its core it is too earnest to take serious issue with, so one cannot be too harsh. Nighy does alright as a quiet yet eccentric father, but some aspects of his performance felt very average, although this could have been the writing.

A very quirky, dry comedy with some slightly dark themes. The film stars Bill Nighy as a family man, a sometime tailor, and always a Scrabble enthusiast. Scrabble hustler or Scrabble addict' may be more appropriate terms. The dry comedy style is intended to catch the audience off guard. While this movie may not appear promising to most, it may pleasantly surprise many.