This is a film that isn't going to be what many viewers had in mind. You will not get your typical Ray Winstone film here, not in any form you've seen him in his prior roles. It's a tale of a son who has lost contact with his father for some time & begins to search him out. The film almost immediately starts with this goal being achieved, finding his Alzheimer ridden father at a nearby mental hospital in vary poor shape prone to very violent outbursts & unpredictability. The son is quick to break him out knowing full well it's not a good idea and leaves it's audience weary of his overall motives. There is much confusion and zero comedy as just keeping the son's father in tow is a serious problem. As the third act begins a twist is laid out bringing new life to a very depressing mood. It's well acted & filmed so no problems in that area, but I stand to believe many will find this not to be a very pleasing watch. It is listed correctly as a drama although I was kind of hoping for more action. There is a small dose towards the end. I would recommend this, but only to those that are aiming for a story driven drama which brings me to the rating of 5/10
11 Reviews
The man of the past
Prismark1029 August 2019
Warning: Spoilers
The biggest problem with Ashes is the casting of Ray Winstone. He plays Frank an advanced Alzheimer's sufferer stuck in a nursing home. He was once a hard man, a type of person Winstone has been playing since the late 1970s.
One day his son James (Jim Sturgess) comes to visit him in the nursing home and then for some inexplicable reason takes him away. It has to be more than the nursing home being not that good.
As Jim drives away with Frank, an haphazard road journey shifts the film into a different direction.
Jim has been forced into his actions and he is not Frank's son. JB (Luke Evans) is actually Frank's son and seems to behind all this. Somewhere among Frank's erratic behaviour and violent outbursts, he remembers the person he once was, a nasty man, a wife beater something that affected JB so much that he has taken a drastic step.
Ashes is a flat inert and incomprehensible film. It becomes a dark thriller in its second half, the slow reveal as Frank during more lucid moments remembers what he did all those years ago comes as no surprise because of the casting. I even guessed that James was not his son. It does beg the question who put Frank in the nursing home and whose details they had for his next of kin?
One day his son James (Jim Sturgess) comes to visit him in the nursing home and then for some inexplicable reason takes him away. It has to be more than the nursing home being not that good.
As Jim drives away with Frank, an haphazard road journey shifts the film into a different direction.
Jim has been forced into his actions and he is not Frank's son. JB (Luke Evans) is actually Frank's son and seems to behind all this. Somewhere among Frank's erratic behaviour and violent outbursts, he remembers the person he once was, a nasty man, a wife beater something that affected JB so much that he has taken a drastic step.
Ashes is a flat inert and incomprehensible film. It becomes a dark thriller in its second half, the slow reveal as Frank during more lucid moments remembers what he did all those years ago comes as no surprise because of the casting. I even guessed that James was not his son. It does beg the question who put Frank in the nursing home and whose details they had for his next of kin?
We know Major Tom's a junkie...
natashabowiepinky2 September 2013
Ray Winstone is one of my favourite British actors, and usually brightens up even the most dour of motion pictures. Here though, his role is a very confused one... On the one hand, he's a mentally ill dementia sufferer who sees delusions, and on the other he remembers things from his past, such as stealing cars and killing people. I thought Dustin Hoffman's Rain Man was slightly unconvincing, but this goes right to the heart of Hollywood Illnesses. He's too hysterical and too knowing, so alas, you always know you're watching a performer rather that than a very sick man.
A cross between a road movie and a buddy movie, when the film doesn't focus on Winstone's odd behaviour and hallucinations it tries to build a relationship between him and his erstwhile son. There are touching moments, but a twist late on puts a new slant on things and we wonder just why Winstone's offspring makes some of the decisions he does, and it comes across as poor writing. Ashes is a mediocrity that won't stand out on anyone involved in it's CV, and will probably be yesterday's chip paper very soon after being viewed... 5/10
A cross between a road movie and a buddy movie, when the film doesn't focus on Winstone's odd behaviour and hallucinations it tries to build a relationship between him and his erstwhile son. There are touching moments, but a twist late on puts a new slant on things and we wonder just why Winstone's offspring makes some of the decisions he does, and it comes across as poor writing. Ashes is a mediocrity that won't stand out on anyone involved in it's CV, and will probably be yesterday's chip paper very soon after being viewed... 5/10
Superb acting, film noir, but so British and realistic!
maryjodell18 April 2014
Main reason for review is the change of genre for Ray Winstone who usually plays the cockney bad guy with relish to find him playing an Alzheimer's sufferer taken from the typical home on a road trip is surprising but he plays the role superbly, I knew he was good at what he normally played but this role showed his ability far more than previous roles I am happy to praise his performance as someone who years ago cared for these patients he is so realistic in the role I was shocked. It's not a happy film and I would rewrite the ending but stress Ray Winstone's performance is really worth watching, hope he does more work outside of his usual genre.
Unappetising would-be thriller
Leofwine_draca22 June 2016
ASHES is an unusual little thriller, shot in the Isle of Man, which I thought came across as bad taste a bit. It stars a headlining Ray Winstone as an Alzheimer's sufferer who's broken out of a nursing home by his son Jim Sturgess. The two then go on a road movie of sorts while events of the past continue to influence the present.
This is a fairly difficult film to enjoy, as it has a slow pace and the characters are resolutely unlikeable from beginning to end. And that's from somebody who likes Winstone as an actor, but I wasn't sure about his character here; I ended up laughing at a couple of his violent outbursts rather than being moved by them.
The thriller aspects of the storyline are rather murky and the dodgy camera-work in the flashbacks also spoils things a bit. The ending I found unsatisfactory too. Sturgess seems one dimensional throughout and it's left to supporting actors like Luke Evans, Jodie Whittaker, and Lesley Manville to hold the fort.
This is a fairly difficult film to enjoy, as it has a slow pace and the characters are resolutely unlikeable from beginning to end. And that's from somebody who likes Winstone as an actor, but I wasn't sure about his character here; I ended up laughing at a couple of his violent outbursts rather than being moved by them.
The thriller aspects of the storyline are rather murky and the dodgy camera-work in the flashbacks also spoils things a bit. The ending I found unsatisfactory too. Sturgess seems one dimensional throughout and it's left to supporting actors like Luke Evans, Jodie Whittaker, and Lesley Manville to hold the fort.
Excellent drama-thriller about Alzheimer's
MattyGibbs8 June 2014
This is an unusual film that straddles a few genres. It's filmed on a relatively small budget but as so often is the case outperforms films with much higher budget.
Ray Winstone is an interesting and charismatic actor and he does a great job in this as a man suffering from the crippling effects of Alzheimer's. Jim Sturgess provides excellent support as his seemingly concerned son.
The film can get quite confusing as it switches from drama to thriller and back again but this is to be applauded. You never quite know where it is heading and that makes a pleasant change from many predictable films in these genres. There are moments of real emotion and some nice twists of plot.
This is a well directed and acted British film and is highly recommended.
Ray Winstone is an interesting and charismatic actor and he does a great job in this as a man suffering from the crippling effects of Alzheimer's. Jim Sturgess provides excellent support as his seemingly concerned son.
The film can get quite confusing as it switches from drama to thriller and back again but this is to be applauded. You never quite know where it is heading and that makes a pleasant change from many predictable films in these genres. There are moments of real emotion and some nice twists of plot.
This is a well directed and acted British film and is highly recommended.
Ray Winstone holds it together
bowmanblue30 November 2014
Most people will be more familiar with Ray Winstone as 'tough-guy' characters, so perhaps that's one reason he's decided to take a break from 'busting heads' and started to show the viewers that he's got more of a 'sensitive' side.
In Ashes, he plays an Alzheimer sufferer who gets 'kidnapped' by his son from the hospital he's been committed to and then taken on a roadtrip across England. Why? Well, that's something you have to find out.
The first thing you need to is that this certainly isn't a 'feel-good' film. It's dark, nasty and certainly not light-hearted in any way. Its major plus-point is Ray Winstone. He plays the part perfectly, switching from scared bouts of violence, to just plain scared. He's the reason this film is worth watching, as the 'story' is somewhat lacking. I was left wondering why exactly these two were driving across country, as it isn't really explained until about the hour mark. Although, that is the time when the film generally starts to pick up.
The first hour - excluding Ray's performance - is pretty hard to sit through. It doesn't really go anywhere and drags by. However, if you can excuse that, it does get better and the last act ties everything up.
If you're a fan of Ray then you'll enjoy this. Otherwise, you'll have to be in the mood for a very dark drama to get something out of this.
In Ashes, he plays an Alzheimer sufferer who gets 'kidnapped' by his son from the hospital he's been committed to and then taken on a roadtrip across England. Why? Well, that's something you have to find out.
The first thing you need to is that this certainly isn't a 'feel-good' film. It's dark, nasty and certainly not light-hearted in any way. Its major plus-point is Ray Winstone. He plays the part perfectly, switching from scared bouts of violence, to just plain scared. He's the reason this film is worth watching, as the 'story' is somewhat lacking. I was left wondering why exactly these two were driving across country, as it isn't really explained until about the hour mark. Although, that is the time when the film generally starts to pick up.
The first hour - excluding Ray's performance - is pretty hard to sit through. It doesn't really go anywhere and drags by. However, if you can excuse that, it does get better and the last act ties everything up.
If you're a fan of Ray then you'll enjoy this. Otherwise, you'll have to be in the mood for a very dark drama to get something out of this.
Best portrayal of Dementia I've ever seen
alison-carlyle6715 October 2021
So Ray Winston is brilliant in his portrayal of a man lost in time, with a tentative grip on reality. This is a dark think piece about relationships, compassion and violence. If you want to see Ray Winston in his usual roles then this isn't for you. He shows real depth and understanding of a horrific condition that leaves someone confused, vulnerable, scared and lost. The journey is incidental and metaphorical, the violence is genuine and not gratuitous. The filming is creative but does not overshadow the story telling.
Best thing I've seen recently.
Best thing I've seen recently.
Rather dull
Gordon-1115 April 2017
This film tells the story of a man who has to pick his father up from a mental hospital, and deliver him back home. The father in question is a man with dementia, and has very confused and hallucinatory episodes every now and then.
The first half of "Ashes" tells a story of a demented man, and the soon who tries very hard to cope with the horrible symptoms of the father's dementia. The symptoms are severe but realistic, and it provokes empathy and respect for carers. The second half tells a different story, and I find it confusing and poorly built up. The interweaving flashbacks and reality of the demented man in the bar is very confusing. And the motives of the mysterious man behind the whole thing is beyond comprehension too, as there could have been much easier ways to achieve his goal. Overall, I find the film rather dull and boring.
The first half of "Ashes" tells a story of a demented man, and the soon who tries very hard to cope with the horrible symptoms of the father's dementia. The symptoms are severe but realistic, and it provokes empathy and respect for carers. The second half tells a different story, and I find it confusing and poorly built up. The interweaving flashbacks and reality of the demented man in the bar is very confusing. And the motives of the mysterious man behind the whole thing is beyond comprehension too, as there could have been much easier ways to achieve his goal. Overall, I find the film rather dull and boring.
King of the Road
nogodnomasters3 September 2017
Warning: Spoilers
Frank (Ray Winstone) is institutionalized because of severe Alzheimer disease. He doesn't have the cute Hollywood version where a man forgets to wear his pants from time to time, but rather one where he becomes violent and remembers things like how to hot wire automobiles. His son (Luke Evans) shows up at the institute and breaks him out, although we soon discover his reason is not as benign as it appears on the surface as Luke tries to save both Frank and his family.
The film has a number of twists. The problem of dealing with an Alzheimer's patient is presented in such a way that it should be left to professionals.
This is a well acted, well developed story.
Parental Guide: F-bomb. No sex or nudity.
The film has a number of twists. The problem of dealing with an Alzheimer's patient is presented in such a way that it should be left to professionals.
This is a well acted, well developed story.
Parental Guide: F-bomb. No sex or nudity.
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