Song for Marion: Movie Review

Song for Marion: Movie Review

Cast: Terence Stamp, Vanessa Redgrave, Gemma Arterton, Christopher Eccleston
Director: Paul Andrew Williams

Terence Stamp and Vanessa Redgrave star in this film, primarily aimed at the older generation.

Redgrave is Marion, a terminally ill woman whose one joy in life is to attend the local acappella choir, headed by the perkily upbeat teacher (Gemma Arterton). That's despite her grumpy, gruff husband Arthur's indignation. The group's called the OAPz and when they get the chance to sing in a competition, Terence Stamp's Arthur's concerned it's a bridge too far for his sick wife. Throw in an estranged son (played by Christopher Eccleston) and cute granddaughter into the mix and you can see it's heading for trouble.

Song For Marion is a bit of mawkish and manipulative piece, aimed at leaving you blubbering despite its predictable route.

Redgrave and Stamp are the stand outs here as the leads; and one scene where Marion gets a solo really does hit you where it hurts. But once she's out of the picture, the predictability and dreariness of the piece kicks in. The OAPz have their quirky, pensioners-doing-silly-things moments as they sing Salt'n'Pepa's Let's Talk About Sex (I blame Young@Heart for this) and the whole film becomes a gloopy sentimental mess as Arthur decides to become involved.

Curiously, despite the emotional manipulation of the story (Will he reunite with his son? Will he follow Marion's lead into the world of the community hall choir?) the finale is a lacklustre affair with scant hint of any rousing feeling as it plays out. While Stamp's gruff demeanour and general grumpiness is understandable in the face of such overwhelming positivity (and vague annoyingness) he manages to craft a character whom you can relate to and whose presence commands your attention.

All in all, Song For Marion will potentially play well to matinee crowds who don't really want a challenge at all - it's a disappointing misuse of the talents involved.

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