Film Group
Film Reviews , Summer 2022
© Weltkino Filmverleih
23 Walks ( Mit Herz und Hund ) *** 1 / 2 UK 2020 Opened June 9 , 2022
Directed by : Paul Morrison Writing credits : Paul Morrison Principal actors : Dave Johns , Alison Steadman , Natalie Simpson , Liam Cointre , Aaliyah Youssef Thomas
Henry and Tilly introduce
Dave ( Dave Johns ) and Fern ( Alison Steadman ), in a manner of speaking , although initially Fern ’ s attitude has a bit of a bite . Gradually , they warm up to each other ; on their ninth dog walk in the North London parks , when Fern says , “ Just listen to the woods — can ’ t get better than that ,” Dave listens . His wife is dead ; Fern is a divorcée . He has a son living abroad and a daughter locally ; her daughter ’ s getting married abroad . He talks about his grandkids . They share and compare memories from their so-different pasts . Some time around their fourteenth walk , Dave takes her to meet Marcy ( Marsha Millar ); later , Donna ( Natalie Simpson ) bosses her complacent dad , and Tilly , feeling poorly , compounds his financial issues . Fern takes a timeout . With all their walking and talking , it seems both are guilty of holding back — their well-lived lives are infused with complexities and peculiarities .
Now each has to decide if she / he can forgive and be happy .
English writer-director Paul Morrison ’ s 23 Walks prods at people ’ s state of mind at that precise stage in life when , it seems , someone feels most vulnerable . The social topics presented and explored are , basically , universally shared , just as the protagonists ’ behaviors fit the characters ’ personalities , particularly the adult child “ parenting ” the parent . Steadman ’ s powerhouse performance , buttressed by Johns ’ laidback portrayal is as commendable as the characters are likable , floundering in a long-forgotten art — courting . Nicely assembled : David Katznelson camera , Bruce Green editing , and Gary Yershon music , 23 Walks / Mit Herz und Hund is a refreshingly candid , yet kind depiction of late-age romance that offers an entertaining stroll . 97 minutes ( Marinell Haegelin )
32 In Hamburg