The Sense of an Ending (2017)

The Sense of an Ending: Directed by Ritesh Batra. With Jim Broadbent, Charlotte Rampling, Harriet Walter, Michelle Dockery. A man becomes haunted by his past and is presented with a mysterious legacy that causes him to re-think his current situation in life.

“We all reminisce. Older people have more to mull over than their younger counterparts, but we all do it. To what extent are our memories accurate representations of what actually happened? And how do the things that we forget, choose to leave out or just misremember affect how we view our past – and our present? These are the kind of questions the British drama u0026quot;The Sense of Endingu0026quot; (PG-13, 1:48) so eloquently and engagingly poses. Based on the 2011 novel of the same name by famed British author Julian Barnes (who won the prestigious Man Booker Prize for the book), this film has the potential to entertain all Movie Fans – and give them plenty to think about, regardless where they are in their lives, but those contemplations will vary depending on the stage of life they occupy at the moment.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eTony Webster (Jim Broadbent) is a disagreeable, semi-retired 70-something curmudgeon living in London. He used to make his living as a doctor, but now he owns a small vintage camera shop. Tony is long divorced from Margaret Webster (Harriet Walker), but they remain quite friendly, mutually supporting their pregnant single daughter, Susie (Michelle Dockery from TVu0026#39;s u0026quot;Downton Abbeyu0026quot;), and sometimes meeting to discuss their lives over a spot of tea. Obviously comfortable (if not entirely happy) living out the narrative of his life (as he sees it), Tony is about to be shaken out of his complacency.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eDr. Webster receives a letter informing him that he has been bequeathed an old diary by the recently departed mother of his college girlfriend. Questions abound. Tony wants to know whose diary it is. When he tells his ex-wife about the letter, sheu0026#39;s curious why the mother of a long-lost love would be leaving him anything in her will. As Tony struggles with the familyu0026#39;s lawyer to get his hands on the diary (or at least get some answers), he begins telling Margaret stories from a past that he has never before shared. She gets frustrated when she senses that he isnu0026#39;t telling her the whole story, while the audience is left to wonder what heu0026#39;s leaving out, why heu0026#39;s leaving things out and if he even realizes heu0026#39;s doing it.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eTonyu0026#39;s story slowly unfolds (and is later revisited and built upon) in flashbacks throughout the movie. As a young man, Tony (played during his school days and college years by Billy Howle) begins dating the young, fetching and quirky Veronica Ford (Freya Mavor). As they figure out how they really feel about each other and where their relationship is going, Tony spends a weekend at her familyu0026#39;s country cottage, where Tony hits it off with Veronicau0026#39;s mother, Sarah (Emily Mortimer). Eventually (not a spoiler – itu0026#39;s in the theatrical trailer), young Tonyu0026#39;s best friend, the very intelligent but very maudlin Adrian Finn (Joe Alwyn) emerges as a rival for Veronicau0026#39;s affections. As a mystery unravels both in old Tonyu0026#39;s rearview mirror and in his present, he finds old Veronica (Charlotte Rampling) and demands answers.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eu0026quot;The Sense of an Endingu0026quot; is a relatable, entertaining and thought-provoking character-driven drama. This impressive collection of English thespians all give heart-felt and layered performances, while Nick Payneu0026#39;s script and Ritesh Batrau0026#39;s direction sensitively and insightfully develop the story, but still leave room for individual interpretations. How a person sees this film will have as much to do with his or her age, perceptions and individual experiences as the story itself. And when all is said and done, the filmu0026#39;s ending still leaves room for discussion among Movie Fans. Rather than a clearly defined ending, we get… the sense of an ending. Or is it a beginning? Itu0026#39;s for each of you to decide for yourselves. Getting there does require you to go along for the ride on a slow-moving cinematic train, but itu0026#39;s well worth the journey – especially since you may be surprised where you end up. u0026quot;A-u0026quot;”