Film: Allelujah + update

Despite its title - 'Allelujah' is not a religious film - although it does reflect on the meaning of love, the indignities of ageing and inevitability of death. Based on the stage play of the same name by Alan Bennett, and adapted for screen by Heidi Thomas (script writer for Call the Midwife), the film combines warmth and gentle satire, with political bite and serious ethical debate in an entertaining way. Thomas who wrote the film during the recent Covid lockdown comments, 'It was very interesting to be writing a film that was about the NHS at a time when the NHS was facing an unprecedented challenge, so it certainly informed my thinking.'

Set in the Shirley Bassey ward of a fictional geriatric hospital in Yorkshire the film is a tribute to the staff of the NHS, who care for our friends and family when we can no longer do so or don't care to do so. Directed by Richard Eyre, the film is a tragi-comedy featuring a roster of our best known older British stars - Derek Jacobi, Julia McKenzie, David Bradley and Judi Dench playing the elderly and vulnerable patients. They are cared for by the idealistic and loving young Dr Valentine (Bally Gill), called this because of his good looks and his unpronounceable Indian name, and the more brusque, but equally caring middle aged, Sister Gilpin, played by Jennifer Saunders in a straight role. It is she who cleans up the sick and the incontinent and showers the ageing bodies, as she tries to juggle the needs of her patients for more care, and the pressure from other hospitals to move them on. "Their relations are always telling me how much they love them, " she remarks acidly to Dr Valentine, as they share a late night take away. "But if they love them so much, why don't they take them home."

The premise of the plot is that " the Beth" as the hospital is called is under threat of closure to make way for a big efficient hospital. The locals, however, are campaigning to keep it open. A TV crew have come to do a story about this and interview the staff and patients. The message is certainly small is beautiful. It is clear that the efficiency management expert from London, Colin (Russell Tovey), who is visiting his estranged father, a patient, is going to be won over by the charm and cheerfulness of the staff, which he is. But just when you think there is going to be a happy and predictable ending, there is a very unexpected and dark revelation, which totally disorients you.

As you try to process this new piece of information, and work out how you feel about it, the film rockets forward into the chaos of Covid. Here we see the once gentle and calm Dr Valentine, now in protective clothing and a visor, dashing through swinging doors amid chaotic situations. He suddenly turns to address the camera and challenges the viewer about what they have seen and their own attitude to the NHS and those who work in it. Public health services are expensive and imperfect he admits but what is the alternative. "For love there is no charge," he says, urging the viewer for support. A timely film amidst all the furore about the health service and the current strikes by NHS staff and a good opportunity for an examination of conscience about our attitude to the elderly and the pressure we put on those who care for them.

Jane Lowe adds the following comments:

One of our most respected names in the world of theatre opera and film, Sir Richard Eyre, is the director of Allelujah, soon to be released in UK cinemas. Using a screenplay by Heidi Thomas of a play by Alan Bennett of the same name, the stars are quite literally aligned with an illustrious cast including Jennifer Saunders, Derek Jacobi, Judy Dench, Bally Gill, Russell Tovey and David Bradly.

Heidi Thomas was nurtured as a fledgling writer by the BBC in the mid '80s. One of her earliest outings was Our Lady Blue, a drama about an ageing prostitute. Her career blossomed with the hugely successful Call the Midwife. Allelujah returns to the theme of geriatric care, this time focusing on small popular care home under the threat of closure.

Jennifer Saunders in a clever witty reading as the Manager, evokes our arguably reluctant empathy for the unilateral decisions she undertakes in sparing some of those in her charge unnecessary distress.

The jeopardy is a slow build but it delivers at the very end and concludes with passionate rant on behalf of all in the NHS by the exhausted frustrated doctor played by Bally Gill.

Described as a 'dark comedy' it is a timely thought provoking film.

Allelujah goes on general release on 17 March 2023. Watch the official trailer here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGektpTIYqo