George (Colin Firth) mourning the loss of his lover of 16 years, determines to make it through one last day, putting his affairs in order before committing suicide.
Colin Firth has been well nominated in the awards season for this role and rightly so. Holding more than a passing resemblance to his most famous role, Mr Darcy in the BBCs Pride and Prejudice, George is a well presented controlled character of repressed emotion with subtle gestures rather than showboating gurning exposing his underlying emotions. His receiving the news that Jim has been killed in an accident and that he isn't welcome at the funeral is masterful, convincing and beautifully understated.
As George moves through the day in his heightened state, he notices things he might not have before, lifting him momentarily. These moments are indicated by raising the colour palette from a very washed gray to vibrant colour. This is undoubtedly heavily stylised, and in places a touch heavy handed, but it is infinitely more subtle than a narration would be. It also brilliantly captures how fleeting these moments are when you are low, the colour draining away almost as soon as the moment passes.
There is also a lovelly extended cameo from Julianne Moore as Charley, a long standing friend who still wishes their young lovemaking had become love.
A touching portrait of a man crushed by bereavement and repressed by society for his lifestyle, this is engrossing, engaging and well worth a look.
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