The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry (film)

The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry is a 2023 British drama film directed by Hettie Macdonald. It is based on the 2012 novel of the same name by Rachel Joyce. The film stars Jim Broadbent and Penelope Wilton.

The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry
Directed byHettie Macdonald
Written byRachel Joyce
Based onThe Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry
by Rachel Joyce
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyKate McCullough
Edited by
Production
companies
Distributed byEntertainment One
Release date
  • 28 April 2023 (2023-04-28)
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish

The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry was released in the United Kingdom on 28 April 2023, by eOne. It was the last film to be distributed by Entertainment One in the United Kingdom before the distributor's UK division was shut down on July 20, 2023.[1]

Plot

Retired pensioner Harold Fry lives in Kingsbridge with his wife Maureen, whose marriage to him has become despondent and quiet. One day, Harold receives a letter from his old friend, Queenie Hennessy, who is dying from cancer and is living in a hospice in Berwick-upon-Tweed.

Harold then decides to walk the length of England to reach Berwick-upon-Tweed without the use of transport or support from Maureen. Along the way, he encounters a variety of people who show interest in his hiking achievement. Harold also reflects on how his only son David, an unemployed former Cambridge University graduate, struggled with depression along with a serious drug and alcohol addiction, all of which led him to taking his own life in a garden shed.

Cast

  • Jim Broadbent as Harold Fry
    • Adam Jackson-Smith as young Harold Fry
  • Penelope Wilton as Maureen Fry
    • Bethan Cullinane as young Maureen Fry
  • Linda Bassett as Queenie Hennessy
  • Joseph Mydell as Rex
  • Earl Cave as David Fry
  • Monika Gossman as Martina
  • Maanuv Thiara as Mick
  • Nina Singh as Garage Girl
  • Daniel Frogson as Wilf
  • Naomi Wirthner as Kate
  • Claire Rushbrook as Farmer’s wife
  • Ian Porter as Jim the Oncologist
  • Joy Richardson as Sister Philomena
  • Sam Lee as Singer

Production

The project was directed by Hettie Macdonald, with Kate McCullough as director of photography, production design by Christina Moore, and costume design by Sarah Blenkinsop. The film was produced by Kevin Loader, Juliet Dowling and Marilyn Milgrom, and was developed with Film4 and the BFI; financing was arranged by Embankment Films and provided by the BFI and Ingenious.[2] It was the biggest investment made in new film by the BFI in 2021.[3]

Casting

Broadbent joined the project to play Harold in February 2021.[4] Broadbent had previously also voiced the audiobook. He also previously worked with the author of the book when she worked as an actress, Joyce had played Perdita to his Leontes in a production of The Winter’s Tale at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield in 1987.[5] Penelope Wilton joined the project in June 2021.[6]

Filming

Filming took place mainly on location to match Harold’s walk in the story. Filming began in Devon in September 2021.[7] Devon filming locations included Kingsbridge, Loddiswell, South Brent, Higher Dean, Buckfast, Exeter, Tiverton and Appledore.[8] Filming also took place in Bath, Somerset, and Gloucestershire,[9] Ripley, Derbyshire as well as on the border between Wakefield and Dewsbury,[10] and Sheffield, Yorkshire.[11]

Soundtrack

A soundtrack featuring music and original songs from the film was released featuring two original songs written and performed by Sam Lee.[12]

Release

The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry was released in the United Kingdom on 28 April 2023, by eOne. It was the last film to be distributed by Entertainment One in the United Kingdom before the distributor's UK division was shut down on July 20, 2023.[1]

Reception

Critical response

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry holds an approval rating of 83% based on 29 critic reviews, with an average rating of 6.4/10. The website's critics consensus reads, "If The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry follows a well-worn path, having Jim Broadbent and Penelope Wilton as guides makes it difficult to complain."[13]

Deborah Ross for The Spectator described it as an “incredibly beautiful film to look at” and that “Broadbent is a wonder, so real and sincere it doesn’t feel like acting…and Wilton equals him”. Ross concluded that “this may even be one of those rare instances where the film is better than the book.”[14] Kevin Maher in The Times described it as “immediately one of the great movies about ageing and regret” with director Macdonald a “secret weapon” whose “return to cinema is something to be celebrated”.[15] Peter Bradshaw in The Guardian was more critical of the suspension of reality required with the plot, saying that whilst it was “impeccably acted, sincerely intended and often beautifully shot” there was something “unsatisfying” in the “solemn, self-conscious fantasy”.[16]

References

  1. Wiseman, Andreas (20 July 2023). "UK Distribution Stalwart eOne Shutting Down Theatrical Operation As Hasbro's Global Cuts Continue To Bite". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 30 July 2023.
  2. "'The Unlikely Pilgrimage Of Harold Fry' embarks on UK location shoot". Screen Daily.
  3. "The BFI's 10 Biggest Production Awards Of 2021: Jim Broadbent Pic 'The Unlikely Pilgrimage Of Harold Fry' & Carol Morley's 'Typist Artist Pirate King' Top List". Desdline. 27 December 2021.
  4. "Jim Broadbent To Star In Hit Novel Adaptation 'The Unlikely Pilgrimage Of Harold Fry' For 'Normal People' Director; Embankment Launches Sales — EFM". Deadline. 12 February 2021.
  5. Harvey, Chris (22 April 2023). "Jim Broadbent on JK Rowling: 'I think she is amazing – I would support her'". The Telegraph. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
  6. "Downton Abbey' Star Penelope Wilton Joins Jim Broadbent In 'Harold Fry'; Pre-Sales Close For UK, Germany, Spain, Aus/NZ, More — Cannes Market". Deadline. 21 June 2021.
  7. "Oscar winner Jim Broadbent heading to Devon to film 'The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry'". Devon Live. 23 September 2021.
  8. "The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry Filming Locations". Devon & Cornwall Film. 25 April 2023. Retrieved 11 May 2023.
  9. "Film crews on Minchinhampton Common shooting major movie starring Jim Broadbent". Gloucestershire Live. 11 October 2021.
  10. "Oscar winning actor's latest movie filmed in a field on Wakefield and Dewsbury border". Wakefield Express.
  11. "The new films and TV shows shot in Sheffield, including Full Monty and The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry". The Star.
  12. "The Unexpected Pilgrimage of Harold Fry Album Details". Film Music Reporter. 25 April 2023. Retrieved 11 May 2023.
  13. "The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 11 May 2023.
  14. Ross, Deborah (29 April 2023). "I cried twice: The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry reviewed". The Spectator. Retrieved 11 May 2023.
  15. Maher, Kevin (28 April 2023). "The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry review — a deep dive into the souls of a retired couple". The Times. Retrieved 11 May 2023.
  16. Bradshaw, Peter (26 April 2023). "The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry review – Jim Broadbent hits the road". The Guardian. Retrieved 11 May 2023.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.