‘Sometimes, Always, Never’ – Review
English thespian talent Bill Nighy offers up plenty of incredible quirks in this very different kind of family drama that is Sometimes, Always, Never.
Alan (Bill Nighy) is a stylish tailor with moves as sharp as his suits. He has spent years searching tirelessly for his missing son Michael who stormed out over a game of Scrabble. With a body to identify and his family torn apart, Alan must repair the relationship with his youngest son Peter (Sam Riley) and solve the mystery of an online player who he thinks could be Michael, so he can finally move on and reunite his family.
Directed by Carl Hunter, Sometimes, Always Never is a solid working example of film as art, and Hunter really packs this film together with plenty of humorous quirks. As a mismatch of several different genres from the family drama to offbeat comedy to the mystery story, Sometimes, Always, Never leaves a very definite impression on its audience with an oddball story that’s full of heart. Placing his attention to the strained relationship between Bill Nighy’s self-serving tailor Alan and his son Peter, played by Sam Reily, there’s is a unique journey as they try to make sense of the sudden re-discovery of long lost son Michael and the implications that this means for this family. There’s also a terrific level of quirky humour on display here and Alan’s mischievous tendencies, especially with his scrabble hustling, certainly bring forth the laughs and the results definitely get you giddy.
Seeing Bill Nighy up on screen is also cause for considerable excitement as well, and the veteran thespian gives his all to this production. Egotistical and given to flights of dry conversation, it’s clear that the character was tailor-made to suit Nighy’s talents and he definitely had an endearing quality that shines through to the audience. Hunter understands how to use Nighy in the best way here and has shaped the film for his personality that changes throughout in a very interesting level of character development. Nighy’s fashion sense is also on display here, and his penchant for sharply fitted tailored suits has clearly inspired his character, and there is plenty of sartorial polish going on here.
Sometimes, Always, Never really falls into the category of ‘family film with a twist’ and throughout the playing of its narrative, it really keeps you guessing. The end definitely creeps up on you, and I wasn’t expecting it to end where it finally did. This film is quite a package for those wanting plenty of intellectual stimulation will be pleased with what is offered here.
As a real little gem of a movie, Sometimes, Always, Never is sure to provide a different kind of cinema experience for the audience and its multiple layers fit together nicely for what is a very charming little film.
Image: Transmission Films
