Unfinished Song is filled with a
predictable and emotionally manipulative material, handled with such grace and
dignity by the cast and director that I was constantly surprised by the film’s
ability to move me. Utilizing music and melodrama in such a way that is never
overwrought or exaggerated for effect, Unfinished
Song is mild entertainment which creeps up on you in profoundly unexpected
ways. Even the supporting characters feel very natural, making it very
difficult to notice when anyone is “acting.”
Terence Stamp
heads up the cast as Arthur, a cranky old man who has become accustomed to his
habits and routines with the only person he opens up to, his wife (Vanessa
Redgrave). When cancer threatens to take that foundation from Arthur, she
suddenly joins an elderly singing group. Arthur is pulled into the group,
finding solace in the friendship of the group’s young teacher, Elizabeth (Gemma
Arterton). Unfinished Song is a film
about grief, but manages to keep a light touch on the material.
The music in
Unfinished Song is simple but effective, never appearing too polished or
unbelievable. There is more heart than talent in the voices, but that works
wonders for the sincerity of the film’s story. We are not meant to be blown
away by the vocal abilities, but instead get swept up in the openness with
which they sing their song.
The DVD is
sparse in terms of special features, including only a handful of deleted scenes
and outtakes.
Entertainment Value:
9/10
Quality of
Filmmaking: 8/10
Historical
Significance: 7/10
Disc Features: 3.5/10
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