In the summer of 2014, World War II veteran Bernard ‘Bernie’ Jordan (Sir Michael Caine) sneaks out of his care home to attend the 70th anniversary commemoration of the D-Day landings in Normandy.

Noted British director Oliver Parker, whose string of credits are essential English films such as St Trinians, The Importance of Being Earnest, Dorian Grey and the recent remake of Dad’s Army, takes up directing duty for this extraordinary true story of an old sailor and WWII veteran who won’t let age or circumstance stop him from honouring his fallen comrades one final time. Based on the true story of World War II veteran Bernard ‘Bernie’ Jordan, who snuck away from his aged care home, unbeknownst to anyone, so he could pay his respects to the fallen one last time, The Great Escaper is both a brilliant comedy that captures the roguish English spirit, but also a timely and beautiful portrait of a life lived to the fullest.

Sir Michael Caine is not only a British national treasure but an actor who has left an indelible mark on the cinematic craft. With a career spanning more than 60 years, Caine is an utter legend who has shifted through genre and defined the heights of the British theatrical craft. And all while being essentially true to himself. His portrayal of World War II veteran Bernard ‘Bernie’ Jordan is a final performance of immense gravitas, and it is delivered with both deep love and relevance to drama to the memory and horrors that the greatest generation faced. Caine has long been a vocal anti-war activist, and he uses this film to highlight the awful loss that Jordan’s generation faced. This is a brave and beautiful final performance from the great actor, and it is an utterly moving performance for the audience to witness.

Complimenting Caine and bringing a deep sense of resonance and love to The Great Escaper in her final performance is Glenda Jackson, whose lauded career is utterly legendary. In what would sadly be her final performance, Jackson brings beauty and grace to her performance as Irene ‘Rene’ Jordan, Bernie’s devoted wife who pushes him to take on one final, grand adventure. At age 86, she was still as sharp as a tack and brought an incredible warmth of love, understanding and wisdom, and this was delivered to audiences in a stunning final performance.

The Great Escaper is a film that honours the Greatest Generation to the fullest and the profound sacrifice that all of them gave to a futile war whose effects we still feel so many decades later. It’s a deep and moving drama, and there’s an incredible level of complexity to the film’s events, as well as Bernie’s final mission. Ultimately, this picture’s message to its audiences is to take comfort and joy in the little moments in life, the things that make life so worthwhile. And that’s where The Great Escaper delivers its message to find joy and happiness in the little things, and it will make your heart sing.

The Great Escaper is an utterly darling little film that presents two cinematic greats who deliver an incredible final performance. It’s a perfect movie on every level, and this picture will completely move your soul.

Image: Transmission Films

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Lucy Stanbridge has inherited her father’s publishing house, but the ambitious would-be editor has nearly sunk it with failing titles. She discovers she is owed a book by Harris Shaw, a reclusive, cantankerous, booze-addled author who originally put the company on the map decades earlier. In a last-ditch effort to save it, Lucy and Harris release his new book and embark on a tour from hell that changes them both in ways they didn’t expect.

Director Lina Roessler and writer Anthony Grieco build out a simple, but terrific story of two outcasts, one a high-functioning workaholic publisher, who unwittingly is on her last legs, the other a cranky and foul-mouthed recluse, who are forced together and go on a cross-country bar-hopping, literary publishing journey to take one final shot at fame and glory. And the result is thoroughly delightful. This is a film that pulls at your heartstrings and analyzes deep questions of love, life and connection and the chemistry that is shared between Caine and Plaza makes for many compelling scenes as they work to make Cain’s embittered writer Harris Shaw a best seller once again.

When it comes to Sir Michael Caine the only word needed is legend. At age 88 he’s still going strong and has lost none of his class, charm or spirit as a performer. In Best Sellers as the stand-offish, angry and nonchalant author Harris Shaw he absolutely excels. Dragged into a book tour he’s none too pleased about he’s a right royal pain to Plaza’s can-do publisher Lucy Stanbridge. But as the story grows we see the true story behind his foul-mouthed anti-authority antics and it soon becomes clear that he is wrestling with a great many demons. As always, Caine is excellent on-screen and he truly brings out many shades to the cantankerous Shaw and finds the true soul of this character that is sure to resonate with audiences.

Playing off of Caine with her unique sense of deadpan humour is Aubrey Plaza as driven young publisher Lucy Stanbridge who is determined to make a name for herself. Obsessive, out-spoken and extremely high-strung, Lucy is all too excited to have a Harris Shaw manuscript in his hands. But this excitement is soon lost when she has to ferry him across the country on a new book tour. What soon becomes clear is that Lucy is not as courageous or dominant as she appears to be and that she is battling her own insecurities that only Harris can help her overcome. Plaza gives Lucy a true honesty, and she is an extremely real character when portrayed on-screen.

Simply put Best Sellers is a quaint and charming little movie that will speak right to your heart with its simple story of two lonely people who find a connection and win out together in the end. It’s a truly heart-warming watch for the end of the year and you’re certain to come away smiling from it.

Image: Rialto

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