UNRELATED

UK, 2007, 100 minutes, Colour.
Kathryn Worth, Mary Roscoe, David Rintoul, Tom Hiddleston, Harry Kershaw.
Directed by Joanna Hogg.

Divided critics, divided audiences.

Winner of several critical prizes, Unrelated is the story of a middle-aged woman (Anna, played by Kathryn Worth) facing menopause who decides to get away from her husband and join friends on holiday in Tuscany.

Those who admire the film mention its not being predictable, the performances and the quality of the talk (of which there is a great deal). They find the film full of insight.

Those who find the film something of an ordeal (or, rather, quite an ordeal) know that they themselves could never go on a holiday like this with these people, could never enjoy it let alone find it the occasion of re-discovering one’s self. And the talk seems not particularly fresh or insightful.

There is a lot of extraverted stuff going on, lots of drinking, chatting, arguing and angst discussions. Interestingly, the screenplay does not present any overt sexual activity. The younger generation is rowdy, the older generation more staid. Anna veers towards the younger but that might be compensation.

While the same screenplay could have been used had the characters all remained in the UK, there is some local Tuscan scenery and a visit to Siena, some wines and some Italian meals.

Reading between the lines, you might guess that this reviewer, while not disliking the film, still found it an ordeal.

1.The impact of the film? The very mixed reviews? Audience and critics’ acclaim? Criticism that the film was tedious?

2.A small-budget production, cast, locations?

3.Tuscany, the house, the countryside, the roads, Sienna? Would it have been different had it been set in the United Kingdom?

4.A dialogue film, expressing character? The quality of the dialogue, idle chat, raucous enjoyment, feelings, issues?

5.The opening, Anna arriving, the road and the lights, the party, her friendship with Verena and George? Her being tired, the aim of the holiday, her age, issues of menopause, self-image? Her continued phone calls to Alex? Her talking with the family, with the young people, drinking, swimming? Relationships? (And not an emphasis on sexual activity?) The music, the visit to Sienna, the tourism, her shopping? Her moving away to the hotel, Verena’s coming, the discussions with her? The return? With the younger people, the attraction to Oakley? With Jack and his wife? The older visitors? The family leaving? The tension with Oakley, friendship with the younger people and the couple? Her staying? Her future?

6.Verena and George, their age, marriage, their children, the holiday, life in Italy, the maid, visit to Sienna, the visitors, the meals, the tastes of the older generation, compared with the younger? Verena and Anna and their friendship?

7.Oakley and his family, his character, life, ambitions, the relationship with Anna?

8.Harry and the younger group? Raucous, Anna asking them to be quiet?

9.The married couple, the car accident, their anxieties?

10.The older visitors, the outing for the meal?

11.The film as a low-budget psychodrama?