Palace Nova Cinemas from 14 November.
Review by Geoff Jenke
The British Film Festival, presented by Palace returns in 2020 for its seventh year with a standout selection of films from the British Isles.
The line-up features 22 films, including some of the most anticipated British cinema of the year – from powerful true stories and literary adaptations to comedies and documentaries.
One of the movies showing is Summerland. Set during World War 2, an Englishwoman opens her heart to an evacuee, after initially resolving to be rid of him. Starring Gemma Arterton, Gugu Mbatha-raw and Penelope Wilton the movie is a moving journey of womanhood, love and friendship.
Alice (Gemma Arterton and Penelope Wilton as the “older” Alice) buries herself in folklore and science, apparently oblivious of a world war going on around her. When she receives a boy, Frank, who has been evacuated from London, she claims she never asked for one and that the officials should find another home for him as soon as possible. While moving at times, the interaction between Frank and Alice is quite humorous as well. It is an unlikely union and while becomes predictable, it does intentionally pull at the heartstrings. 1.5 million people were evacuated out of London during the way and many of the children never got to be reunited with their parents after the war. There have been a lot of World War 2 movies over the last couple of years, but this one just deals with life, a world away from the fighting and bombing.
The film flashes back in time regularly (in fact it covers three time periods) to her relationship with another woman, Vera, and the reason for her pain and anguish. It doesn’t get confusing and is used to set the story up.
Summerland is one of those movies, rare in this day, that you can go along to and just sit back and enjoy. The performances are wonderful, especially from Gemma Arterton as Alice and Lucas Bong as Frank. It is a light hearted movie, and although ultimately becomes predictable, a movie I enjoyed immensely.
Go catch it.
Summerland – Part of the British Film Festival – Season opens November 14 for a very short season at Palace Nova cinemas.
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