Song for Marion/Unfinished Song.

                   Song For Marion. Film Review.

"I'm not the life and soul of the party and full of joy and guts. I'm miserable old Arthur. I've ruined everything I had and it's too late."


Arthur Harris played by British veteran actor Terence Stamp more akin to playing the arch villain is struggling to deal with his wife, Marion's cancer. Undoubtedly he loves her, this is never in question being her main carer but to a point of over -protectiveness stifling her natural energy. His relationship with his son James is frosty. It seems as if James has proved a disappointment and Marion's illness has caused a huge rift between them. Arthur is bad-tempered, the antithesis of his wife, Marion played by the renowned actress Vanessa Redgrave, held in such high-esteem by the American playwright Tennessee Williams as the greatest actress of our time.

Within the partnership, she is the life force whereas Arthur represses his emotions, coming across as a misery dampening his wife's enthusiasm for wanting to compete in a musical competition.

"Maybe I'm crazy" and "Hey, did you happen to see the most beautiful girl in the world" or "Let's talk about sex, baby" form part of the repertoire of the OAPz-an unconventional type of choir chirpy and eccentric encouraged by a charismatic Elizabeth played by Gemma Arterton.
The OAPz are precisely that-seniors wanting to sing and have fun. They rise to Elizabeth's challenge and don the necessary attire to create a rock and roll image more ageing Mick Jagger, clad in leathers with long hairpieces, strumming invisible guitars and kicking ass. What an endearing sight. Explicit lyrics extolling the excitement of sex and game for a laugh Timothy who overdoes the jive and has to be taken in an ambulance to hospital to recover!
And what about wheelchair bound Marion? She is in the thick of it agreeing to sing a solo version of "True Colours" dedicated to her grumpy misunderstood husband. After her performance everyone present congratulates her on her wonderful rendition apart from the most important person in her life. Arthur slinks off for a smoke wanting to avoid the limelight, feeling dejected. It is Elizabeth who chastises him. Rightly so.

"You have this wonderful woman who adores you and she just sang in front of everyone for you. She put everything she had into singing that song."


"Marion" is a change of direction from the earlier brutally realistic crime movies from writer and director Paul Andrew Williams (The Cottage, 2008 London to Brighton 2006 and Cherry Tree Lane 2010). It is more of a tear-jerker like Brassed Off or Calendar Girls or even The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, films of that ilk. London to Brighton was seen as his debut and  Andrew Collins  (Radio Times 7-13 November 2015) referred to it  as an "incendiary, violent, fast moving crime thriller." He took a left turn with this "almost unbearably sentimental tale of oldies singing in a choir." (Andrew Collins). He refers to the antics of these OAPs as "age-inappropriate" who provide comic relief against the "backdrop of grim reaping." His first romantic comedy starring Drew Barrymore and Toni Collette followed: Miss You Already. (2014/5) Williams co-wrote the script with Morwenna Banks.
Paul Andrew Williams.

 Terence Stamp had reservations about taking on the role, being unable to see how he could make his character work. His father provided the inspiration he needed.

When the film was released in the US it was the "Unfinished Song" with closing lyrics provided by Celine Dion from her 2013 album "Loved Me Back to Life."

"Life is a story that's all twists and turns/ All that matters is the lessons we learn."


Arthur has to build some very solid bridges with his son. He has to travel on a journey of self-discovery revealing his true colours and acting on Elizabeth's advice: "Let everyone see you" instead of hiding away like a recluse locked inside his own grief. Marion gave them all the strength to carry on which culminated in Arthur's song dedicated to her: "Goodnight my angel." As Duke Orsino bemoaned: "If music be the food of love, play on." Sing your heart out Arthur Harris!


REVIEW it.
Copyright 2014. Permission must be obtained from the author before any of this review article is reproduced.

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