This afternoon, I walked into the city centre. From locking our front door to arriving at "The Showroom" cinema took exactly forty eight minutes.. I was there to see the film version of "The Salt Path" starring Gillian Anderson as Raynor Winn and Jason Isaacs as her husband Moth. Some readers may remember me reviewing this book during the time of COVID. Go here.
I had heard some negative film reports but having enjoyed the book I was determined to see the film for myself. Besides, John Gray over at "Going Gently" recently wrote fondly about the film. Go here.
I was very glad that I bothered. I felt that the film-makers did a fine job of transferring the 274 page personal account onto the silverscreen. Very sensitively done with the full approval of the authoress herself. In my opinion, playing Raynor Winn, Gillian Anderson did a brilliant job. She delivered her lines as though she had been born and raised in Staffordshire, England and not in various places like Chicago, Illinois and Grand Rapids, Michigan. What a talented actress she is.
It was lovely to watch a film that is gentle, relatable and life-affirming. There are no guns or knives, just a path to trudge along with rucksacks on the lead characters' backs. Nature revealed many things to Raynor and Moth and there were emotional ups and downs - a trajectory that mirrored the rising and falling nature of the path itself.
Last month, "The Guardian" reviewer wrote in glowing terms about "The Salt Path" and yet surprisingly only awarded it three stars. I think my only complaint would be that it ended too soon. The film did not take us to the very end of the coastal walk and I would have happily sat through another hour or so.
Sounds like a very good book and movie that I would enjoy.
ReplyDeleteI found both experiences very positive.
DeleteI'll have to put it on my to see list.
ReplyDeletePlease do that.
DeleteWords of high praise!
ReplyDeleteHallelujah!
DeleteI will look for it over here!
ReplyDeleteNo car chases or shoot-em-ups in it Bob.
DeleteI get the feeling this movie is not for me, I'd probably enjoy the book more. Gentle rambling movies tend to put me to sleep.
ReplyDeleteThey woke up one night on a beach when the tide had reached their tent.
DeleteThank you for this review. I like Jason Isaacs very much but would not have recognised him in this photo. I have not read the book but I think Imwould enjoy the film.
ReplyDeleteThe book‘s cover is familiar with its beautiful print by Angela Harding.
As you love walking, I think you might also enjoy both.
DeleteI read or listened to the book and it is indeed as you say life affirming. They did good in the end. Found somewhere to live, she wrote a book that became a best seller and then the film. A happy ever after story, though not quite as he is still ill.
ReplyDeleteObviously the film is a very different medium from the book. It took me eight hours to read the book but two hours to watch the film. I hope you get to see it Thelma.
DeleteI would like to read the book first and then decide if I'd like to see the film. That would have to wait until it's shown on TV - we have no cinemas within a convenient distance here.
ReplyDeleteYes Carol - do read the book and make your own "film" with your imagination.
Delete"'ow many killings?"
ReplyDeleteSorry to disappoint you ArcticMonkey! No killings at all.
DeleteI do love Jason Isaacs. Gillian Anderson drives me insane, however; she's used that British accent now in her everyday life for years, even though, as you said, she grew up around the US. It's ridiculous. That should have no bearing on me watching the movie, though.
ReplyDeleteElle, there is something haughty about her demeanour - a trait which, whilst in certain situations admirable, is most definitely not in my repertoire. Neither do I desire it. It'd be a bad fit. Some things best left to others. Her portrayal of Margaret Thatcher in the Netflix series "The Crown" I thought outstanding.
DeleteAccents? Ones which will never leave us, ones which we adopt? Maybe a subject that YP might like to pick up on in a separate blog post.
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Was Simon Armitage in the film? I have read the book.
ReplyDeleteSort of
DeleteSounds like a very fine film.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a good film with a very good story ell told.
ReplyDeleteMaybe there will be a sequel, "Salt Path II: The Very End," or "An Even Saltier Path."
ReplyDeleteI would like to see this film. I will probably wait for it to stream but it sounds interesting. Gillian Anderson is great in everything she does.
I liked it and glad u did too
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