(spoiler free)
Lisa Barros D’Sa & Glenn Leyburn, the directing duo behind Good Vibrations (2012), are back with new drama Ordinary Love, which was filmed entirely in Northern Ireland. The film stars Lesley Manville and Liam Neeson as married couple, Joan and Tom. The narrative focuses on how the couple deal with Joan’s diagnosis of breast cancer and their subsequent struggle through the illness.
The original title for this film was Normal People, and an apt title that would have been, alas it wasn’t to be due to the upcoming adaptation of Sally Rooney’s popular novel of the same name. Nonetheless, Joan and Tom are just that, normal, and as a result audiences will immediately be able to relate to them. Owen McCafferty’s screenplay is excellent, the dialogue he’s written for the characters is spot on. This is established from the very first line in the film and the authenticity of these characters and their conversations is never a worry thanks to his thoughtful writing. This, along with the abundance of Northern Irish landmarks will have local viewers effortlessly engaging with the film, but Ordinary Love has a remarkably universal quality to it. At its core it’s a film about a couple who love each other and it captures so many short and simple moments between them, but it’s these moments that make their lives shared together so wonderful.
The performances from Manville and Neeson are tremendous. Manville gives her all to this role, wholeheartedly immersing herself in her character. She excels in the moments of emotional anguish, pulling on the heartstrings of the audience. However, it’s often in her more subtle expressions where she impresses the most, conveying so much without even uttering a single word at times. She’s an absolute joy to watch from start to finish and the same can be said for her chemistry Neeson. As her on-screen husband, Neeson proves here that he’s still got his dramatic chops; there’s not a kidnapped daughter or a hijacked plane in sight, yet he still commands the screen with confidence. He showcases his special ability as a actor as he portrays a man striving to do his best for his wife in the most awful of circumstances. The pair have an instant spark together and will have you laughing and crying in equal measures.
The deep emotional quality of this film comes as a result of these exquisite performances, as well as McCafferty’s screenplay. However the directorial touches of Barros D’Sa and Leyburn enhance this even further. Their framing and shooting of Joan and Tom’s family home is fantastic. This allows the narrative to really breathe, also letting the audience reflect on the events of the film as the characters do too. Furthermore, the way in which they show the passing of time is so beautiful and understated, a quality that the film as a whole possesses throughout too.
As a result, Ordinary Love delivers a vital insight into breast cancer, showcasing just what’s involved in treating this illness. It perfectly balances this with its touching narrative focusing on the life-long love that Joan and Tom have for each other, always keeping this at its heart. So while, yes, ordinary in many ways, this latest film from Lisa Barros D’Sa and Glenn Leyburn is extraordinary in so many others. It’s a masterclass in authentic storytelling abut real, everyday people, and it’s not to be missed.
Written by Hamish Calvert
★★★★★
Thanks for reading this review, if you enjoyed it and would like to support us you can buy us a coffee HERE and make sure to follow us @HCMovieReviews over on Twitter.
Thanks to Movie House Cinemas for screening access
HCMovieReviews 
Leave a comment