ALLELUJAH (2022, UK, 99m, 12) ***
Drama
dist. Warner Bros. (UK); pr co. BBC Films / DJ Films / Great Bison Productions / Ingenious Media / Pathe / Redstart Media; d. Richard Eyre; w. Heidi Thomas (based on a play by Alan Bennett); pr. Damian Jones, Kevin Loader; ph. Ben Smithard (Colour | 2.39:1); m. George Fenton; ed. John Wilson; pd. Donal Woods.
cast: Jennifer Saunders (Sister Gilpin), Bally Gill (Dr Valentine), David Bradley (Joe Colman), Russell Tovey (Colin Colman), Derek Jacobi (Ambrose), Judi Dench (Mary Moss), Gerard Horan (Mr. Earnshaw), Jessica Baglow (Dr. Jess), Eileen Davies (Molly), Arian Nik (Abdul Kashani), Jesse Akele (Nurse Pinkney), Louis Ashbourne Serkis (Andy), Lorraine Ashbourne (Mrs. Earnshaw), Paul Butterworth (Richard), Darren Charman (George), JP Conway (Kieran), Nishu Dikshit (Ruha), Patricia England (Mavis), Vincent Franklin (Mr. Salter), Julia McKenzie (Patient).
This adaptation of Alan Bennett’s source play sees the geriatric ward in a small Yorkshire hospital threatened with closure. The hospital decides to fight back by galvanizing the local community: they invite a news crew to film their preparations for a concert in honour of the hospital’s most distinguished nurse. What could go wrong? Filled with Bennett’s typical droll humour this, for the most part, is a pleasantly enjoyable low-key ensemble piece with an eccentric veteran ensemble cast – the Bradley/Tovey father and son relationship being a particular standout. The film takes a surprising tonal left-turn in its final act which, whilst impactful, takes us out of the movie entirely to hammer home political points which have been more subtly managed through the story up to that point.
