The Unlikely Pilgrimage Of Harold Fry – REVIEW
Image: THE UNLIKELY PILGRIMAGE OF HAROLD FRY film still
Discerning audiences who enjoy small quality British movies should fall in love with The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, an inspiring movie which not only enchants, but more importantly restores faith in human nature.
Adapted from a novel by the same name and authored by Rachel Joyce, the story centers on Harold Fry an ordinary elderly man who claims that he has spent his life not doing anything, until one day he gets the chance to do something very special.
His former colleague Queenie who is dying from cancer has mailed a letter informing him of the tragic news. He responds, the intention by mail but quickly decides to walk 560 miles from Devon to Berwick to visit her.
And so commences his ‘walk of faith’ a road trip by foot to save Queenie, his belief being that if he continues to walk, she will continue to live. “This time I won’t let her down“, he tells his wife Maureen.
But who is Queenie – an ex-lover perhaps? And how did he let her down in the past? Most importantly what is the significance of the message Queenie gave Maureen to pass onto Harold all those years earlier and why did she refrain from doing so?
The walk triggers memories of the darkest chapter in his life. Through flashbacks audiences learn of the tragedy which befell Harold’s son David owing to substance abuse. “What was I thinking? I couldn’t even save my own son!” he exclaims as exhaustion sets in during his long walk.
Many people join the pilgrimage chanting “save Queenie!” and he becomes an instant celebrity. Harold learns of the kind nature of people and reciprocates, touching the lives of those he meets along the way.
Jim Broadbent and Penelope Wilton are perfectly cast in pivotal roles as the married couple who are silently fighting their own demons.
Themes of faith, guilt, regrets, and the need not to give up on life resonate throughout. The message conyeyed to audiences is that hope is a journey.
This wholesome and emotional drama, aptly described as a cinematic gem, is an absolute pleasure to watch and hopefully won’t be disregarded by moviegoers amongst all the blockbuster movies on offer.
★★★★
In Cinemas June 8
