Jim Broadbent’s Harold goes on a 600-mile quest in Rachel Joyce’s sad and quirky story that is undermined by its implausibility
Despite being impeccably acted, sincerely intended and often beautifully shot, there is something basically unsatisfying in this quirky/sad movie, adapted by Rachel Joyce from her own Booker-longlisted novel; it is undermined by issues of tone and plausibility connected with that word “unlikely” in the title. The film presents partly as a sentimental oldie heartwarmer, but also asks us to believe in it as something more serious and even tragic: an emotional investment made harder by the unreality of what we’re seeing.
Jim Broadbent and Penelope Wilton play Harold and Maureen, a retired couple living a life of quiet boredom and desperation in Devon. Out of the blue, Harold gets a letter saying that an old work colleague of his is now in a cancer hospice in Berwick-upon-Tweed.
Despite being impeccably acted, sincerely intended and often beautifully shot, there is something basically unsatisfying in this quirky/sad movie, adapted by Rachel Joyce from her own Booker-longlisted novel; it is undermined by issues of tone and plausibility connected with that word “unlikely” in the title. The film presents partly as a sentimental oldie heartwarmer, but also asks us to believe in it as something more serious and even tragic: an emotional investment made harder by the unreality of what we’re seeing.
Jim Broadbent and Penelope Wilton play Harold and Maureen, a retired couple living a life of quiet boredom and desperation in Devon. Out of the blue, Harold gets a letter saying that an old work colleague of his is now in a cancer hospice in Berwick-upon-Tweed.
- 4/26/2023
- by Peter Bradshaw
- The Guardian - Film News
The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry tells the story of a man who starts walking… and doesn’t stop walking. To mark its release, we had the pleasure of speaking to that very man, as we caught up with Jim Broadbent, who takes on the eponymous lead role. He was paired with British screen legend Penelope Wilton, who plays Maureen Fry, the former’s wife. We then chatted to the author of the novel the book is based upon, Rachel Joyce, who also penned the screenplay.
We discussed the project, and Broadbent’s history with the novel it is based upon, and with the author, as Joyce played his daughter on stage 30 years ago. We discuss the adaptation process, the importance of good supporting roles, and of course, walking. Be sure to watch both interviews in their entirety below.
Jim Broadbent & Penelope Wilton
Rachel Joyce
Synopsis
Harold is an ordinary...
We discussed the project, and Broadbent’s history with the novel it is based upon, and with the author, as Joyce played his daughter on stage 30 years ago. We discuss the adaptation process, the importance of good supporting roles, and of course, walking. Be sure to watch both interviews in their entirety below.
Jim Broadbent & Penelope Wilton
Rachel Joyce
Synopsis
Harold is an ordinary...
- 4/25/2023
- by Stefan Pape
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
This evening saw the capital offer a likely stop to The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry as it held its UK premiere.
Starring Academy Award® Winner Jim Broadbent as Harold and Penelope Wilton as his wife Maureen, the story is an uplifting tale of self-discovery, redemption and learning to seize the moment. Based on the bestselling book of the same name by award-winning author Rachel Joyce, who also wrote the screenplay, the film is directed by BAFTA winner Hettie Macdonald.
The film will be released in the UK and Ireland from April 28th 2023. Colin Hart and Ethan Hart were on the red carpet, here are their interviews.
The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry Premiere Interviews
Plot:
The film tells the story of a man who leaves his seaside town in South Devon to deliver a message to an old friend. Harold Fry was never meant to be a hero. He...
Starring Academy Award® Winner Jim Broadbent as Harold and Penelope Wilton as his wife Maureen, the story is an uplifting tale of self-discovery, redemption and learning to seize the moment. Based on the bestselling book of the same name by award-winning author Rachel Joyce, who also wrote the screenplay, the film is directed by BAFTA winner Hettie Macdonald.
The film will be released in the UK and Ireland from April 28th 2023. Colin Hart and Ethan Hart were on the red carpet, here are their interviews.
The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry Premiere Interviews
Plot:
The film tells the story of a man who leaves his seaside town in South Devon to deliver a message to an old friend. Harold Fry was never meant to be a hero. He...
- 4/18/2023
- by Jon Lyus
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Entertainment One has debuted the first trailer and poster for ‘The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry,’ in cinemas in the UK and Ireland from April 28th 2023.
Based on the bestselling book of the same name by award-winning author Rachel Joyce, who also wrote the screenplay, the film is directed by BAFTA winner Hettie Macdonald.
The film tells the story of a man who leaves his seaside town in South Devon to deliver a message to an old friend. Harold Fry was never meant to be a hero. He’s an unremarkable man who has failed at all the important things: being a husband, a father and a friend. Now, well into his 60s, he is content to fade quietly into the background of life. But when Harold learns his friend Queenie is dying, he is moved to act. He leaves home, walking to the post box to send her a...
Based on the bestselling book of the same name by award-winning author Rachel Joyce, who also wrote the screenplay, the film is directed by BAFTA winner Hettie Macdonald.
The film tells the story of a man who leaves his seaside town in South Devon to deliver a message to an old friend. Harold Fry was never meant to be a hero. He’s an unremarkable man who has failed at all the important things: being a husband, a father and a friend. Now, well into his 60s, he is content to fade quietly into the background of life. But when Harold learns his friend Queenie is dying, he is moved to act. He leaves home, walking to the post box to send her a...
- 2/2/2023
- by Zehra Phelan
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Here’s our annual rundown of the 10 largest awards given out by the British Film Institute’s Film Fund across 2021. Backed by National Lottery money, the grants are a key supporter of indie cinema in the UK.
This year also saw long-time Film Fund chief Ben Roberts, now BFI CEO, hand over the keys to the fund to new director Mia Bays.
Top of the list is The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, an adaptation of Rachel Joyce’s popular novel about a man who embarks on a 450-mile walk across the UK in the belief that his journey will save the life of an old friend. Jim Broadbent is starring in the pic, which Joyce is adapting herself. Hettie Macdonald, who helmed Normal People with Lenny Abrahamson, is directing. Producers are Kevin Loader with Juliet Dowling and Marilyn Milgrom.
Second on the list is Typist Artist Pirate King[/link], the...
This year also saw long-time Film Fund chief Ben Roberts, now BFI CEO, hand over the keys to the fund to new director Mia Bays.
Top of the list is The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, an adaptation of Rachel Joyce’s popular novel about a man who embarks on a 450-mile walk across the UK in the belief that his journey will save the life of an old friend. Jim Broadbent is starring in the pic, which Joyce is adapting herself. Hettie Macdonald, who helmed Normal People with Lenny Abrahamson, is directing. Producers are Kevin Loader with Juliet Dowling and Marilyn Milgrom.
Second on the list is Typist Artist Pirate King[/link], the...
- 12/27/2021
- by Tom Grater
- Deadline Film + TV
Shooting is taking place across the UK, from Devon to Northumberland.
Production is underway on The Unlikely Pilgrimage Of Harold Fry, with shooting beginning on location in the UK on Monday (September 27), in Devon.
Linda Bassett, star of East Is East and Kinky Boots, has joined the previously announced cast of Jim Broadbent and Penelope Wilton.
The high-budget independent feature is the first work from director Hettie Macdonald since BBC series Normal People (for which she directed 6 of the 12 episodes), and is based on Rachel Joyce’s 2012 novel of the same. Joyce has also penned the screenplay.
The story follows...
Production is underway on The Unlikely Pilgrimage Of Harold Fry, with shooting beginning on location in the UK on Monday (September 27), in Devon.
Linda Bassett, star of East Is East and Kinky Boots, has joined the previously announced cast of Jim Broadbent and Penelope Wilton.
The high-budget independent feature is the first work from director Hettie Macdonald since BBC series Normal People (for which she directed 6 of the 12 episodes), and is based on Rachel Joyce’s 2012 novel of the same. Joyce has also penned the screenplay.
The story follows...
- 10/1/2021
- by Mona Tabbara
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: Downton Abbey and The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel star Penelope Wilton is joining Oscar winner Jim Broadbent (Iris) in Hettie Macdonald’s (Normal People) upcoming feature The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry.
Wilton will play Maureen, the wife who is left bereft and bewildered when Harold doesn’t come home one day. The Duke and Lady In the Van star Broadbent will play the eponymous Harold, an ordinary man who has passed through life living on the sidelines until he goes to post a letter one day…and just keeps walking.
The character embarks on a 450-mile walk across the UK in the simple belief that his journey will save the life of his old friend Queenie who is dying in a hospice. Step by step, a spark is ignited in Harold’s hibernating soul as he rediscovers the majesty of the world, reflects on his mistakes, and finally...
Wilton will play Maureen, the wife who is left bereft and bewildered when Harold doesn’t come home one day. The Duke and Lady In the Van star Broadbent will play the eponymous Harold, an ordinary man who has passed through life living on the sidelines until he goes to post a letter one day…and just keeps walking.
The character embarks on a 450-mile walk across the UK in the simple belief that his journey will save the life of his old friend Queenie who is dying in a hospice. Step by step, a spark is ignited in Harold’s hibernating soul as he rediscovers the majesty of the world, reflects on his mistakes, and finally...
- 6/21/2021
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Oscar, BAFTA and Golden Globe-winning actor Jim Broadbent (“The Duke”) will lead the cast of “The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry,” an adaptation of Rachel Joyce’s bestselling novel.
Broadbent will play the eponymous Harold, who embarks upon a 450-mile walk across the U.K. in the belief that his journey will save the life of his old friend Queenie who is dying in a hospice.
BAFTA winner Hettie Macdonald (“Normal People”) will direct.
“Rachel’s beautiful story is made for cinema: a raw and emotional portrait of a man battling long-buried feelings of grief and guilt in a vast landscape,” said Macdonald. “I find Harold’s journey across England and his belief that he can make a difference extraordinarily moving and inspiring. I am enormously excited to be working with Jim Broadbent who I know will use his warmth, range and sensitivity to create an onscreen Harold who will...
Broadbent will play the eponymous Harold, who embarks upon a 450-mile walk across the U.K. in the belief that his journey will save the life of his old friend Queenie who is dying in a hospice.
BAFTA winner Hettie Macdonald (“Normal People”) will direct.
“Rachel’s beautiful story is made for cinema: a raw and emotional portrait of a man battling long-buried feelings of grief and guilt in a vast landscape,” said Macdonald. “I find Harold’s journey across England and his belief that he can make a difference extraordinarily moving and inspiring. I am enormously excited to be working with Jim Broadbent who I know will use his warmth, range and sensitivity to create an onscreen Harold who will...
- 2/12/2021
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Here’s a hot one out of Blighty. Oscar-winner Jim Broadbent is set to star in the movie adaptation of Rachel Joyce’s genuinely best-selling novel The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry.
BAFTA-winner Hettie Macdonald, who directed BBC and Hulu hit Normal People with Lenny Abrahamson, is aboard to direct, and BAFTA-winner Kevin Loader (The Death Of Stalin) will produce with Juliet Dowling and Marilyn Milgrom. Embankment have launched worldwide sales ahead of the virtual EFM.
Broadbent, who teamed with Loader on box office hit The Lady in the Van and recently starred in Venice Film Festival hit The Duke, will play the eponymous Harold, an ordinary man who has passed through life, living on the side lines, until he goes to post a letter one day…and just keeps walking.
The character embarks on a 450-mile walk across the UK in the simple belief that his journey will...
BAFTA-winner Hettie Macdonald, who directed BBC and Hulu hit Normal People with Lenny Abrahamson, is aboard to direct, and BAFTA-winner Kevin Loader (The Death Of Stalin) will produce with Juliet Dowling and Marilyn Milgrom. Embankment have launched worldwide sales ahead of the virtual EFM.
Broadbent, who teamed with Loader on box office hit The Lady in the Van and recently starred in Venice Film Festival hit The Duke, will play the eponymous Harold, an ordinary man who has passed through life, living on the side lines, until he goes to post a letter one day…and just keeps walking.
The character embarks on a 450-mile walk across the UK in the simple belief that his journey will...
- 2/12/2021
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
As we age, it’s important to place value in the small moments of life, as they contribute deep merit and more significant implications for the person we become later in life. With this in mind, the willingness to accept what British author Rachel Joyce calls “the incongruity of things”: where a small moment can sit side by side with a big one, and become part of the same, is vital to understanding Melissa B.
- 4/30/2018
- by Kyle Kohner
- The Playlist
PerfectBy Rachel Joyce; Random House; 400 pages; $25At the heart of Perfect are two hit-and-run accidents, one in 1972, the other four decades later. In the first, two boys scheme to protect one’s mother after she crashes in a poor part of town. In the second, an unstable man gets his foot run over. Perfect touches on class, mental illness, and the ways a psyche is formed or broken. It has the tenor of a horror film, and yet at the end, in some kind of contortionist trick, the narrative unfolds into an unexpected burst of redemption. Buy ItAndrew’s BrainBy E.L. Doctorow; Random House; 200 pages; $26We follow a dialogue between a psychiatrist and the title character, a neuroscientist who might have accidentally caused the deaths of his infant daughter and wife. As Andrew recaps and rewrites his backstory, ambiguity reigns: Who’s the shrink? Is Andrew in prison? Is Andrew...
- 12/16/2013
- by Christopher Bonanos,Lane Brown,Matthew Giles,Molly Langmuir,Alex Yablon
- Vulture
From new voices like NoViolet Bulawayo to rediscovered old voices like James Salter, from Dave Eggers's satire to David Thomson's history of film, writers, Observer critics and others pick their favourite reads of 2013. And they tell us what they hope to find under the tree …
Curtis Sittenfeld
Novelist
My favourite books of 2013 are Drama High (Riverhead) by Michael Sokolove, Sea Creatures (Turnaround) by Susanna Daniel, and & Sons (Harper Collins) by David Gilbert. Drama High is incredibly smart, moving non-fiction about an American drama teacher who for four decades coaxed sophisticated and nuanced theatrical performances out of teenage students who weren't privileged or otherwise remarkable and in so doing, changed their conceptions of what they could do with their lives. Sea Creatures is a gripping, beautifully written novel about the mother of a selectively mute three-year-old boy; when she takes a job ferrying supplies to a hermit off the coast of Florida,...
Curtis Sittenfeld
Novelist
My favourite books of 2013 are Drama High (Riverhead) by Michael Sokolove, Sea Creatures (Turnaround) by Susanna Daniel, and & Sons (Harper Collins) by David Gilbert. Drama High is incredibly smart, moving non-fiction about an American drama teacher who for four decades coaxed sophisticated and nuanced theatrical performances out of teenage students who weren't privileged or otherwise remarkable and in so doing, changed their conceptions of what they could do with their lives. Sea Creatures is a gripping, beautifully written novel about the mother of a selectively mute three-year-old boy; when she takes a job ferrying supplies to a hermit off the coast of Florida,...
- 11/24/2013
- by Ali Smith, Robert McCrum, Tim Adams, Kate Kellaway, Rachel Cooke, Sebastian Faulks, Jackie Kay
- The Guardian - Film News
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