Vancouver International Film Festival 2019 – “Sometimes Always Never” – a review

Vancouver International Film Festival – 2019

“Sometimes Always Never”

 

The British comedy-drama “Sometimes Always Never” follows Alan, (Bill Nighy), his son Peter (Sam Riley) and his grandson Jack (Louis Healy) as they attempt to make sense of both a family tragedy and one another. The plot centers around Alan’s single minded determination to find his son Michael, who walked out of the house one evening years ago and never returned.

Alan’s other son, Peter, has become a responsible adult with a loving wife and intelligent son, but his life appears not to interest his father at all. Peter is often ill at ease in the presence of his father, whose complexities and idiosyncrasies make the possibility of a comfortable relationship seem almost impossible. Peter’s adolescent son, Jack, gets to know his grandfather well, when Alan moves himself, uninvited, into Peter’s home and Jack’s bedroom, where Alan begins to search for his missing son online.

The game of Scrabble features significantly throughout. Previous games are recounted and current matches are quarreled over, but everyone plays… and the word choices are often meaningful.

Directed by Carl Hunter, “Sometimes Always Never” is an engaging and entertaining film, replete with a splendid cast and satisfying plot. Twists, turns and sub-plots add depth and comedy to the action; the film surprises and delights at every turn.

“Always Sometimes Never” will  play:

Sat. Sept. 28 at 3:30 pm.  at the Centre for the Performing Arts.  777 Homer Street

Mon. Sept. 30 at 6:00 pm at the Vancouver Playhouse.  600 Hamilton Street

 

Judy Robb