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Awix (3310 KP) rated That Good Night (2018) in Movies

Jun 23, 2018 (Updated Jun 23, 2018)  
That Good Night (2018)
That Good Night (2018)
2018 | Drama
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Movie Rating
It would be lovely to report that John Hurt's valedictory screen performance appears in a worthy production, but sadly this one is no better than functional. Crabby old git who has spent his life being feted for his writing while treating everyone around him appallingly gets bad news from his specialist, is forced to reassess his life and his attitudes to death. I mean, as premises go it's not dreadful, but the realisation of the story is just clunky - long, talky scenes in which characters articulate their issues with each other at great length are interspaced with ones where Hurt and Dance debate the ethics of euthanasia.

The theatrical origins of the piece are never in doubt, and it all feels very trite and tips over into sentimentality before the conclusion. There's also a plot twist, of sorts, which I think you would have to work very hard not to guess in advance. Nevertheless, there are very good performances from Hurt and Dance, also Helin - even if one can't help feeling she doesn't really get material worthy of her talents. Looks nice, but the bland score is annoyingly intrusive - if this came on the telly on a Sunday night it would pass the time inoffensively enough, it's just not much of a movie when you watch it on the big screen.