It was a short time after seeing the trailer for this film that I went to see it on the big screen, I enjoyed the lead actor the year before in The Duke, and I was looking forward to him playing another likeable character. Basically, in Kingsbridge, South Devon, retired pensioner Harold Fry (Jim Broadbent) lives with his wife Maureen (Penelope Wilton), but their marriage has become despondent and quiet. One day, he receives a letter from his old friend, Queenie Hennessy (Linda Bassett), she is living in a hospice in Berwick-upon-Tweed but dying from cancer. He writes her a short letter to send his regards and walks to the nearest post box, but then has second thoughts and walks to the next one, and the next one. Stopping at a petrol station for some milk, he mentions to the girl at the till with blue hair (Nina Singh) that his friend has cancer. She tells him about her aunt who survived cancer and gives him advice not to give up hope. This inspires Harold to call the hospice and to leave a message for Queenie that he is coming to see her and should wait for him. Harold begins what will become a walk that will last 87 days and cover 627 miles. Along the way, he has flashbacks of his former employment as a brewery representative, and about his son David (Earl Cave, son of singer Nick Cave) who he became estranged to. Maureen has no idea where he is or what he is doing until he eventually calls her, she initially berates him, believing he cannot do it by foot. Harold suffers severe foot pain and sores from his continued walking, which he treats himself with plasters. But along the way, he encounters a variety of people who show him kindness and express interest and support for his hiking achievement. When Harold is not stopping at inns for a bed and food, he scavages for fruit, takes vegetables from fields where they are available to take, and sleeps in barns and other sheltered areas. Through flashbacks, it is revealed that his son David was an unemployed former Cambridge University graduate, who struggled with depression, and was addicted to drugs and alcohol. Wherever he stops, Harold sends postcards to Queenie. He collapses during his journey and is taken in by Slovakian woman Martina (Monika Gossman), a doctor who helps him with his sore feet and gives him footwear and a sleeping bag to help him on his way. Close to Stroud, when Harold calls the hospice to say that he may give up his journey, he is amazed to hear that Queenie is still alive and is waiting for him. Whilst stopping at a pub, a man asks to take a photograph of him to "remember him", and soon Harold's face is on the front page of many newspapers. Harold is confused when numerous people recognise him and approach him. Close to Conventry, he is joined by a young man named Mick (Maanuv Thiara) who calls his journey a "modern pilgrimage"; they are followed by a stray dog who also becomes a companion. As Harold's fame increases, many other people from all walks of life accompany him as his "pilgrims". After calling Maureen and her explaining his newfound fame, she catches up to him and they talk in a café, where she apologises for doubting him. There is a point when Mick disappears and talking to one of the people in the group, Harold decides to leave and continue alone. Harold suffers something of a near breakdown when he recalls the day that he found his son dead; David committed suicide, hanging himself in the garden shed, and Harold has felt guilt ever since. Harold considers giving up and calls Maureen to tell her where he is, but she tells him that he is not far from his destination and encourages him to keep going. Finally, Harold reaches Berwick-upon-Tweed and finds the hostel, but he has second thoughts and walks out. He stops in a café that does not allow begging and asks for a glass of water, the staff assume he is homeless and ask him to leave, but he has an emotional breakdown. Maureen finds and comforts him. Harold changes his mind and goes to the visit Queenie, who is unable to speak and is near death. He talks about some of his journey and leaves her a gift, a necklace with a glass ornament which he hangs from the window. It is revealed in flashback that Harold owes a great deal to Queenie, as after David died, he went into a fit of rage and damaged several barrels of alcohol, and Queenie took the blame for the damage. In the end, Harold writes to the girl in the garage about his journey, Queenie is seen smiling as the glass ornament glimmers light into the room, and Maureen takes Harold home. Also starring Joseph Mydell as Rex, Adam Jackson-Smith as young Harold Fry, and Bethan Cullinane as young Maureen Fry. Broadbent is first-class in the lead role as the ordinary man who goes on an extraordinary almost spiritual journey, Wilton is alright as the spouse stuck at home not knowing what to do, and the kindness of strangers is nice from some likeable people in the supporting cast. It is a sweet story of a man who believes that his friend will stay alive if he keeps going, there is an element of Monty Python's Life of Brian as he picks up followers along the way, and it reminded me of the running segment of Forrest Gump, I will admit it dipped in places, but overall it is an enjoyable drama. Good!
