Song for Marion

[Diane65]

Its quite similar to Quartet and a bit like Amour, except less depressing, sooo if you liked either of them, you are sure to like it Good idea about the tissues, you'll certainly need them x

I loved both of them so it will be perfect and as I wear my heart on my sleeve I fear the worse

[funthing29]

I found this predictable and overly sentimental at times. I did sniffle once or twice, but the director was certainly trying to elicit a sobbing reaction from the audience. Strong performances and a sweet story, but I wouldn't want to watch it again. I thought it was better than Quartet but inferior to BEMH. 6.5/10.

[jeanelle]

I thought this started well but I was waiting for it to finish after about halfway. Definitely a weepie and some good performances but very contrived and too many stereotypes in the choir.

[canadian_turtle]

Gosh this was a tearjerker! (though this was probably multiplied for me because it hit very close to home)

Overall I thought it was a sweet story and I was glad that the main characters couldn't actually sing very well as it added to the appeal of their songs and made sure that they stood out because of the emotion brought to them, not the excellent singing voice.

Terence Stamp and Vanessa Redgrave were excellent as pointed out before, though surprised no one has said anything about Christopher Eccleston yet? I thought he was really good as well. Gemma Arterton played a suitably "girl next door" type and while I'm not familiar with her big Hollywood films as referenced in the Q/A afterwards to see the stark contrast of characters, I think she was very good in this role.

A really sweet movie that I'd be happy to see again at some stage. 8/10


Q/A with the director/screenwriter afterwards was okay. Nothing too exciting, but it did add just that little bit extra. I like how the Telegraph recently have started to make the screenings more special like that (such as having a quartet sing before the screening of Quartet) though they should really be advertising this. Both to, perhaps, get a fuller screening room and prevent the audience from leaving because they don't know it hasn't finished yet.

Also, there were 4 reserved seats in front of use that were left untouched throughout the screening. Wonder what that was about?

[valda]

reserved for Terence Stamp but I scared him off LOL anyway I was glad no one sat there as we had a clear view.

Like C_T this struck a chord with me, very close to home. All of what C-T said I agree with, the only thing I didn't like was [spoiler]that they got 3rd place. Really?[/spoiler] . 7/10

Terrence Stamp has still got it I must see if I can get a copy of Far From the Madding Crowd

[asamaic]

Also, there were 4 reserved seats in front of use that were left untouched throughout the screening. Wonder what that was about?

A-ha! I was 90% sure you lot were sat behind me, but didn't know how to ask without sounding like a plonker in case you weren't actually FMUKers.

I assumed for the director and guests - don't think he actually watched the film from the screening room, did he?

[canadian_turtle]

reserved for Terence Stamp but I scared him off LOL anyway I was glad no one sat there as we had a clear view.

Like C_T this struck a chord with me, very close to home. All of what C-T said I agree with, the only thing I didn't like was [spoiler]that they got 3rd place. Really?[/spoiler] . 7/10

Terrence Stamp has still got it I must see if I can get a copy of Far From the Madding Crowd

I didn't mind that bit actually, made it more realistic I found.

Also, there were 4 reserved seats in front of use that were left untouched throughout the screening. Wonder what that was about?

A-ha! I was 90% sure you lot were sat behind me, but didn't know how to ask without sounding like a plonker in case you weren't actually FMUKers.

I assumed for the director and guests - don't think he actually watched the film from the screening room, did he?

He didn't, he spent his time in the bar b*ying an expensive beer

[prettyxcool]

.... as I wear my heart on my sleeve I fear the worse

You and me, I am sure we are twins in another life! I am like an open book.

Well I loved this, what a tearjerker, totally unexpected. Should have taken my tissue box! I didn't care it was predictable and so many stereotypes. I laughed and I cried, it was such a lovely film, and Terence and Vanessa was so good in the characters, Christopher Eccleston too, Gemma was lovely. I could totally relate to this film too.

Not sure why half way through the film the couple in front of me moved one seat to the left. Didn't mind, as it gave me a clear view!

The Q&A with the director was a lovely surprise too. I agree it should be advertised more, as people started to leave without knowing. Apparently the film was filmed in Newcastle and Durham, as it was supposed to not be anywhere recognisable. The director was pa*d by the BBC six years ago to write it, and is very much based on his experiences with his grandparents and his family. It seemed that Gemma wanted to do the film, even for free, even though it was not a Hollywood blockbuster. Very observant tsoiboy saw his (the director's!) brief cameo in it, which the director said was the most important part.

Although, arriving very early, we only managed to get the third row from the back. Great to see valda, funthing, c_t and tsoiboy.
Sorry to have missed you asamaic.

9/10

[ejwrank]

What's that you say, pxc, that tsoiboy has a cameo in Song for Marion? Details please.

[BrotherLehman]

I saw this last night and loved it - shed a few tears
Was great seeing how down to earth the director is too - wouldn't have realized he was the director!