The Song of Lunch

Shot working in london by BBC/Masterpiece: Executive producers, Rebecca Eaton, Sarah Brown, Greg Smart producer, Pier Wilkie director, Niall MacCormick author, Christopher ReidHe - Alan Rickman She - Emma Thompson Waiter - Andi Soric Waitress - Siubhan Harrison Massimo - Frederick LongEddie Izzard been with them in "Dress to Kill" concerning the distinction between British and American movies. Britain is renowned for making more compact, subdued films, the type you will never eat popcorn to. Masterpiece Contemporary's "An Audio Lesson of Lunch" is simply that type of project -- nuanced storytelling, doting camerawork and tremendous acting. Popcorn certainly will not do, but a pleasant glass of Chianti or Grappa provides an ideal pairing. Modified from Christopher Reid's poem of lost love, longing and liquor, this excellent project consists of aspects of "The Key Existence of Walter Mitty" and "My Dinner With Andre." Reid's poem was allegedly inspired through the pub scene in James Joyce's "Ulysses." If Joyce captures slice-of-existence Dublin, Reid captures slice-of-pizza Soho London with equal parts lachrymosity, cynicism and folly. Underneath the Masterpiece Contemporary banner, this BBC production is a component of the proceed to p-stodgify the stalwart series and explore new ideas inside a timely way. While modern London may be the setting, "An Audio Lesson of Lunch" covers old styles of affection and unfaithfulness. The experience is mainly verbal, with a large amount of the storyline happening within the "leafy literary" mind of Alan Rickman's character, simply known as "he." A magazine copy editor that has arranged a lunch by having an old flame (simply "she" performed by Emma Thompson), he's apprehensive concerning the rendezvous at among their old haunts. The restaurant has transformed its look, the enthusiasts are fifteen years older, however the arguments, that old wounds and also the familiarity continues to be very fresh. "He" however, is stuck in the own mind, interacting reminiscences, findings and longing. No movement, no action is they cannot narrate, comment upon or examine. Wines are put inside a "splashy gabble," and discussing snacks or a little the hands assumes startling closeness. The interior dialogue is entertainingly place-on, both pompous and amusing, using the colorful description of the pepper grinder and it is application through the waitress one for that age range. Director Niall MacCormick combines extreme close-ups, hazy reminiscences and slow motion to provide purpose to Rickman's inner voice. His visual connect to Rickman's poetic play-by-play produces an in-depth portrait of small moments. Thompson is the best antidote to "he's" self-indulgent wistfulness and, despite less screen time, matches his level. Sharp, equally observant and intuitive, she precisely diagnoses her lunch partner as you who atmosphere poetry with therapy. Rickman reaches once funny, sad and unbearable, his thick voice and slow drawl an ideal match for this type of complex monologue.camera, Jan Jonaeus editor, Chris Barwell production designer Simon Beresford casting, Julia Crampsie. Running time: 60 MIN. Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com