Learners

Learners

• Director: Francesca Joseph
• Based on book: no
• Cast: Jessica Hynes, Shaun Dingwall, David Tennant, Sarah Hadland, Michael Maloney
• Personal “oh yeah him/her” reaction, i.e. have seen this actor in:
• Jessica Hynes – Doctor Who, Son of Rambow, Shaun of the Dead, Black Books, Born Romantic, Swing Kids
• Shaun Dingwall – Young Victoria, Doctor Who, Colour Me Kubrick
• David Tennant – Broadchurch, What We Did on Our Holiday,  Doctor Who, Fright Night, The Decoy Bride, United, Hamlet, Kick Ass Girls St Trinian’s 2, Glorious 39, Secret Smile, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Blackpool, Bright Young Things, Jude, Takin’ over the Asylum
• Michael Maloney – River, Summer in February, Young Victoria, Bonekickers, Notes on a Scandal, Babel, Hamlet, Othello, In the Bleak Midwinter, Hamlet, Henry V
• Why? David Tennant
• Seen: 19 October 2019

             Beverly (Hynes) has failed her driving test eight times. Her partner Ian (Dingwall) has been her teacher. She realises she needs professional instruction.

       She ends up with Chris (Tennant). He’s kind and patient, a rock nerd and a Jesus freak. She’s a cleaner in a police station and is chronically short of money.

       Eccentric characters abound in this odd little film. Eccentric, and essentially unhappy and trapped in dead-end lives.

       Don’t worry, it’s feel-good. Too feel-good to be honest. Good acting saves it, but I had been hoping for, even expecting, a 5.

      

3 * of 5