Shadows on the Wall | Onwards and Sideways

Onwards and Sideways

dir John Madden
scr Paul Mayhew-Archer
prd Hilary Bevan Jones, John Gore
with Laura Linney, Rhys Ifans, Rory Kinnear, Monica Dolan, Nicholas Asbury, Sara Powell, Ross McShane, Paul Mayhew-Archer, Sorcha Cusack, Leah Byrne, Isabella Nefar, Meg Artherton
release UK 6.Nov.26
26/UK BBC 1h50

TORONTO FILM FEST

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There's an earthy honesty to this British drama that makes it hugely engaging. This is due to a combination of vivid characters and astutely written situations that convey how it feels to be diagnosed with Parkinson's. And most impressively, it never gets remotely sentimental. Jagged humour and earned emotions continually catch us by surprise, while director John Madden and a very strong cast bring the story to life.

After noticing some odd symptoms, teacher Tom (Ifans) is shocked to learn that he has Parkinson's. At the clinic he meets musician Emma (Linney), who has just had the same diagnosis. Both are told they have five good years left. Over the coming months, they have different experiences with the disease. Tom's sister Liz (Dolan) knows she'll eventually need to take him in, but he is fiercely independent. And Emma considers undergoing a scary new procedure. And when they admit their mutual attraction, they worry that it's impossible for them to care for each other.

Screenwriter Mayhew-Archer knows this topic personally, lacing dialog with pointed observations that allow the audience to understand what these people are experiencing, which makes it resonate in the world around us. He keeps everything grounded, avoiding the usual inspirational nonsense. And he also plays a key character: the lively Tom is in the later stages of Parkinson's, meeting Tom and Emma in their dance movement group.

Ifans and Linney give open-handed performances that are honest and engaging, finding all kinds of little quirks that bring their characters to unusual life. So even if the romantic structure is perhaps predictable, it's thoroughly enjoying to see these two actors bring their distinctive skills to bear. The effects of Parkinson's add to the way these two interact with each other, and also with the members of their support group. Kinnear (as their doctor) and Dolan have strong supporting roles as well.

The film's knowing perspective refreshingly keeps it from taking the central topic too seriously, even while handling it with sometimes bracingly intense truthfulness. This is a life-changing disease, but it doesn't mean that there isn't still plenty of life to be lived. So while the symptoms continually affect the way Tom and Emma are able to do their jobs and function in their society, it never stops them from contributing to the people around them or having new experiences of their own. It's a rare film that's both entertaining and important.

themes, language, sexuality 24.Sep.26

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