Song for Marion
| Song for Marion (Unfinished Song) | |
|---|---|
 Promotional poster | |
| Directed by | Paul Andrew Williams |
| Produced by |
Ken Marshall Philip Moross |
| Written by | Paul Andrew Williams |
| Starring |
Terence Stamp Gemma Arterton Christopher Eccleston Vanessa Redgrave |
| Music by | Laura Rossi |
| Cinematography | Carlos Catalán |
| Edited by | Daniel Farrell |
Production company |
Steel Mill Pictures Coolmore Productions Egoli Tossell Film Film House Germany |
| Distributed by |
Entertainment One (UK) The Weinstein Company (US) |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 93 minutes[1] |
| Country |
United Kingdom Germany |
| Language | English |
| Box office | $7,041,354[2] |
Song for Marion (released in the United States as Unfinished Song) is a 2012 British-German comedy-drama film written and directed by Paul Andrew Williams and starring Terence Stamp, Gemma Arterton, Christopher Eccleston and Vanessa Redgrave.
The film was nominated for three awards—Best Actor, Best Screenplay, and Best Supporting Actress—at the 2012 British Independent Film Awards.[3]
Plot
Arthur Harris is the grumpy husband of Marion, who is terminally ill yet continues to participate with enthusiasm at her local seniors' choir. Arthur is unimpressed when the choir, led by Elizabeth, serenades the couple at their home.
As Marion's health deteriorates, Arthur is keen to please his dying wife and even agrees to take her place in the choir. The transition proves to be trying for Arthur thanks to the unconventional songbook that includes racier songs such as "Let's Talk About Sex". Arthur's experience in this new social environment will take him on a journey of self-discovery and thaw his bitterness, qualities that he will need in his imminent transition to life without Marion.[4]
Cast
- Terence Stamp as Arthur
- Vanessa Redgrave as Marion
- Gemma Arterton as Elizabeth
- Barry Martin as Timothy
- Taru Devani as Sujantha
- Anne Reid as Brenda
- Elizabeth Counsell as Cheryl
- Ram John Holder as Charlie
- Denise Rubens as Marge
- Arthur Nightingale as Terry
- Jumayn Hunter as Steven
- Christopher Eccleston as James
- Orla Hill as Jennifer
- Bill Thomas as Bill
- Willie Jonah as Robert
- Calita Rainford as Doctor
- Federay Holmes as Day Care Nurse
- Calum Sivyer as Heavy Metal Kid
- Alan Ruscoe as Judge
- Sally Ann Matthews as Playground Monitor
- Paul Andrew Williams as Delivery Guy
- Caroline Bartleet as Runner
- Brian Shelley as Choir Organiser
- Christopher Terry as Male Compere
- Melanie Cripps as Female Compere
- Stephen Quinnell as Spectator
- Dominic Kemp as Doctor
- Peter M. Quinn as Theatre Crowd
- Greg Forrester (uncredited)
The OAP'Z
Joy Alexander, Judith Baird, Bob Buyers, Sally Anne Cooper, Joan Fagon, Lynn Fox, Anthony Friswell, Christine Glazzard, Christopher Gulliver, Joe Hewison, Pat Mailer, Janet Meikle, June Mitchell, Marie Mossison, Jenny Hales Owen, Sid Robertson, Ian Scott, Joan Smith, Mike Smith, Sue Sweeney, Margaret Taroni, Carol Thompson, Robert Anthony Walsh and Gwen Williams.
Soundtrack
The film is accompanied by a song titled "Unfinished Songs" written by Diane Warren and performed by Celine Dion.[5] The song was included in Dion's 2013 album Loved Me Back to Life but with different vocal and musical arrangements.
The song "Lullabye (Goodnight, My Angel)", performed by the main character in the film, is a Billy Joel song.
The score was composed by Laura Rossi. Lost In The Multiplex's Soundtrek section deemed Rossi's score "lovely", but opined that the OAP'Z songs "aren't particularly funny, they're not that fun to listen to either."[6]
Reception
The film received positive reviews from critics. It received a "fresh" rating of 64% based on 92 reviews from aggregating site Rotten Tomatoes.[7]
Production
Although the film is set in London it was primarily shot on location in Newcastle upon Tyne and Durham. Filming took place over 6 weeks in July and August 2011, and locations included St Francis community centre (next to Freeman Hospital), Newcastle City Hall, Mill Volvo Tyne Theatre and Durham Johnston Comprehensive School.[8]
References
- ↑ "SONG FOR MARION (PG)". British Board of Film Classification. 16 October 2012. Retrieved 9 July 2013.
- ↑ "Unfinished Song (2013)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 9 July 2013.
- ↑ "Nominations 2012: BIFA". British Independent Film Awards. Retrieved 14 May 2013.
- ↑ Programmer's Note, Toronto International Film Festival. Retrieved on 6 September 2012
- ↑ "Celine Sings A 'Song for Marion". celinedion.com. 12 September 2012. Retrieved 12 September 2012.
- ↑ "Soundtrek Review: Song For Marion". lostinthemultiplex.com. 23 February 2013. Retrieved 23 February 2013.
- ↑ "Song For Marion (2013)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 21 March 2013.
- ↑ "Song For Marion film shot in Durham and Newcastle". BBC News. 23 August 2011. Retrieved 29 April 2014.
External links
- Song for Marion (Unfinished Song) at the Internet Movie Database
- Song for Marion (Unfinished Song) at Box Office Mojo
- Song for Marion (Unfinished Song) at Rotten Tomatoes
- Song for Marion (Unfinished Song) at Metacritic