- Actors: Phyllida Law, Emma Thompson, Sheila Reid, Sandra Voe, Arlene Cockburn
- Directors: Alan Rickman
- Writers: Alan Rickman, Sharman Macdonald
- Producers: Alan J. Wands, Edward R. Pressman, Ken Lipper, Steve Clark-Hall
- Format: Colour, DVD-Video, Widescreen, NTSC
- Language English
- Region: Region 1 (US and Canada DVD formats.)
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9 - 1.85:1
- Number of discs: 1
- Classification: R (Restricted) (US MPAA rating. See details.)
- Studio: Image Entertainment
- DVD Release Date: 30 Aug 2005
- Run Time: 108 minutes
- Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
- ASIN: B0009VNBM4
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 57,166 in Film & TV (See Top 100 in Film & TV)
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Reviews
Amazon.co.uk Review
Set during the brief hours of light one day in February when the sea has frozen, The Winter Guest is about how four pairs of people at different stages of life attempt to fill the emptiness in their hearts. While that sounds bleak--and the setting in a small town on the East coast of Scotland is certainly stark--there is considerable human warmth in Alan Rickman's directorial debut. Without a conventional story, Rickman simply cuts between four strands, spending most of the time with the difficult relationship between a mother and daughter, played by real-life parent and offspring Phyllida Law and Emma Thomson. Strong dialogue, with a dash of Samuel's Beckett's existential squabbling angst and outstanding performances make this both funny and touching. Meanwhile Thomson's teenage son begins a tentative romance with the new girl in town, two younger boys bunk off school to the icy beach and a pair of elderly ladies attends a funeral. Ultimately the ice-locked sea and Michael Kamen's crystalline piano score become additional characters, the film offering a pseudo-mysticism akin to Picnic at Hanging Rock (1975) while echoing with the spare dramas of Krzysztof Kieslowski; especially Three Colours: White (1994). A beautiful drama that demands attention throughout. --Gary S Dalkin
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
82 of 83 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
Although this is not a video I watch often, it is one of my favourites. It is very vivid, yet quiet, and stays in the memory.
Real-life mother and daughter Phyllida law and Emma Thompson are particularly good as mother and daughter in the film, struggling to cope with their relationship after the death of Emma Thompson's husband. She in turn is trying to avoid repeating mistakes with her own son and alienating him.
The beautiful Scottish setting is paradoxically unwelcoming yet comforting, particularly the snow-covered beach. A real sense of cold is conveyed to the viewer, but also the magical hush you feel on a pristinely white winter's morning.
It is the small details of this film that I always remember - the two old women enjoying a cream cake together, Emma Thompson applying her eye make-up and the small boys dividing a Mars Bar between themselves.
The film was originally a play and someone suggested to Alan Rickman it had a very 'filmic' quality. I am glad he decided to do it as it is a beautiful film. If you ever read this Alan, I would like to thank you for making it.
I absolutely love it and would urge those who appreciate a well-crafted piece, rather than clumsy 'loud' films to buy it.
Real-life mother and daughter Phyllida law and Emma Thompson are particularly good as mother and daughter in the film, struggling to cope with their relationship after the death of Emma Thompson's husband. She in turn is trying to avoid repeating mistakes with her own son and alienating him.
The beautiful Scottish setting is paradoxically unwelcoming yet comforting, particularly the snow-covered beach. A real sense of cold is conveyed to the viewer, but also the magical hush you feel on a pristinely white winter's morning.
It is the small details of this film that I always remember - the two old women enjoying a cream cake together, Emma Thompson applying her eye make-up and the small boys dividing a Mars Bar between themselves.
The film was originally a play and someone suggested to Alan Rickman it had a very 'filmic' quality. I am glad he decided to do it as it is a beautiful film. If you ever read this Alan, I would like to thank you for making it.
I absolutely love it and would urge those who appreciate a well-crafted piece, rather than clumsy 'loud' films to buy it.
33 of 34 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This is one of the most beautiful and moving films I have seen in a very long time. Though nothing really happens, relationships are allowed to develop within the context of a visually stunning scottish backdrop. Each relationship brings to the surface a different memory from my past-recollections of arguements with my own mother, banter with friends, first kisses. It really is a very human story and the characters aren't your average airbrushed "perfect" hollywood types. They are flawed, they have imperfections and we grow to love them because of those flaws rather than inspite of them. You'll carry this film in your heart long after the credits have rolled. I know I still do.
28 of 30 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I was a little dubious about this film - at first glance there didn't seem to be much of a story. Having watched it a couple of times, it's one of those films that grow on you.
It follows the changes in relationships between 4 pairs of people - and that's really the whole point. Life isn't necessarily about lots of action. It's everyday things often that affect people in subtle ways to alter them. The main "pair" is Emma Thompson and her real life mother Phylidda Law. There is a depth of emotion and history between them that must only have been enhanced by their off screen connection. The humour element is captured nicely between the schoolboys (note a young Sean Biggerstaff - "Oliver Wood" in Harry Potter films).
The setting is in Scotland on a freezing cold day when the sea has frozen. The human elements supply the warmth.
As a fan of Alan Rickman's work, this is a wonderful directorial debut - though I do prefer to see him in front of the camera! If you like fast action, you'll hate it; if you like to watch a film about real people and normal life, you might really enjoy it.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
A certain charm...
I am a fan of Emma Thompson but most of her movies do not reach our cinemas but thanks to Amazon I have discovered many of her gems. Wit, for example. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Soo Ewe Jin
Terrible script. Terrible direction. Terrible acting
I saw this on release and even as I watched it, literally from the beginning, cringing at Emma Thompson waking up from sleep in some of the most awful hammily self-conscious acting... Read more
Published 18 months ago by J.Utah
Intriguing film
the setting is bleak but out of this bleakness, two women reconnect to their mother daughter relationship - a film that explores not only this relationship, but others, friendship,... Read more
Published on 29 April 2010 by Mrs. D. M. Baillie
Excellent!
I've seen this film a quite a few times now, and it leaves me speechless over and over again! A wonderful story in a fairy-like environment, that seems to make the world stop... Read more
Published on 19 Jan 2010 by Geke
A winter full of heart
This is a delightful film. The characterisation is excellent, the acting is spot on and Alan Rickman's direction is intelligent. Read more
Published on 27 Nov 2009 by P. J. Salisbury
Winters Guest
I'm a bit surprised at the other (neagtive) reviews of this film. I may be biased I - I come from Fife where this was filmed - but this is one of the most beautiful films I have... Read more
Published on 21 Nov 2009 by David Stuart B. Grace
Slow moving
I purchased this item expecting to see a underrated Emma Thompson movie. I have to say that I was disappointed, I expected much more from it. Read more
Published on 4 Sep 2009 by E. osman
Weird film, but endearing
A film that is a bit strange and definitely quirky. A good British film.
Published on 27 Mar 2009 by Pauline
Wonderful opening sequence
Listening to my CD of the soundtrack of The Winter Guest after a long pause, I remembered how much I loved the film when I saw it in the late 90s. Read more
Published on 30 Jan 2007 by Allegra
The Winter Guest
A winter bore was about right. Online info does say starring Alan Rickman although he is actually the director. My mistake. Read more
Published on 26 Nov 2005 by L. Hawley
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