The Winter Guest
Encyclopedia
The Winter Guest was British actor Alan Rickman
's debut as a director, and stars Emma Thompson
and Phyllida Law
.
on one wintry day, the film focuses on eight people: a mother and daughter, Elspeth (Phyllida Law
) and Frances (Emma Thompson
); two young boys skipping school, Sam (Douglas Murphy) and Tom (Sean Biggerstaff
); two old women who frequently attend strangers' funerals, Chloe (Sandra Voe
) and Lily (Sheila Reid
); and two teenagers Nita (Arlene Cockburn) and Alex (Gary Hollywood). The film consists primarily of the
interactions between the characters.
's play, premiered at the West Yorkshire Playhouse
(in the Quarry studio theatre, 23 January to 18 February 1995) before transferring to the Almeida Theatre
in London (14 March to 15 April 1995).
Like the film it was also directed by Rickman, starring Law, Reid, Voe and John Wark, with Siân Thomas
in the role of Frances, played in the film by Emma Thompson.
. But it was "Robin Don's remarkable set ... that grabs you before anything else" (Michael Billington
in The Guardian
, 25 January 1995): a house interior, promenade and snowbound seascape, which won Don the Design award in the Critics' Circle Theatre Awards in 1995.
Alan Rickman
Alan Sidney Patrick Rickman is an English actor and theatre director. He is a renowned stage actor in modern and classical productions and a former member of the Royal Shakespeare Company...
's debut as a director, and stars Emma Thompson
Emma Thompson
Emma Thompson is a British actress, comedian and screenwriter. Her first major film role was in the 1989 romantic comedy The Tall Guy. In 1992, Thompson won multiple acting awards, including an Academy Award and a BAFTA Award for Best Actress, for her performance in the British drama Howards End...
and Phyllida Law
Phyllida Law
-Personal life:Law was born in Glasgow, the daughter of William and Megsie Law, who divorced after World War II. She was married to Eric Thompson from 1957 until his death in 1982. Their two children Emma and Sophie Thompson are both actresses...
.
Plot
Set in ScotlandScotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
on one wintry day, the film focuses on eight people: a mother and daughter, Elspeth (Phyllida Law
Phyllida Law
-Personal life:Law was born in Glasgow, the daughter of William and Megsie Law, who divorced after World War II. She was married to Eric Thompson from 1957 until his death in 1982. Their two children Emma and Sophie Thompson are both actresses...
) and Frances (Emma Thompson
Emma Thompson
Emma Thompson is a British actress, comedian and screenwriter. Her first major film role was in the 1989 romantic comedy The Tall Guy. In 1992, Thompson won multiple acting awards, including an Academy Award and a BAFTA Award for Best Actress, for her performance in the British drama Howards End...
); two young boys skipping school, Sam (Douglas Murphy) and Tom (Sean Biggerstaff
Sean Biggerstaff
Sean Biggerstaff is a Scottish actor best known for playing Oliver Wood in the Harry Potter film series.-Life and career:Biggerstaff was born in Glasgow, Scotland, growing up with his parents in Maryhill...
); two old women who frequently attend strangers' funerals, Chloe (Sandra Voe
Sandra Voe
- Television and films :Voe began her on screen career in 1966, appearing in an episode of Dr. Finlay's Casebook. She has also appeared in Coronation Street, London's Burning, Taggart, Casualty, Monarch of the Glen, The Bill and Midsomer Murders.Her film credits include Breaking the Waves,...
) and Lily (Sheila Reid
Sheila Reid
Sheila Reid is a Scottish actress, best known for her performance as Madge Barron in Benidorm.-Career:Reid has had a long and distinguished career in theatre, film and television, and worked with Laurence Olivier at the Royal National Theatre. In 1980, she played the long-suffering wife of Trevor...
); and two teenagers Nita (Arlene Cockburn) and Alex (Gary Hollywood). The film consists primarily of the
interactions between the characters.
History
The film is based on Sharman MacDonaldSharman Macdonald
Sharman Macdonald is a Scottish playwright, screenwriter, and former actress. She is the mother of Academy Award-nominee Keira Knightley.-Career:...
's play, premiered at the West Yorkshire Playhouse
West Yorkshire Playhouse
The West Yorkshire Playhouse in Leeds, England is a theatre which opened in March 1990 as part of the regeneration of the Quarry Hill area of the city...
(in the Quarry studio theatre, 23 January to 18 February 1995) before transferring to the Almeida Theatre
Almeida Theatre
The Almeida Theatre, opened in 1980, is a 325 seat studio theatre with an international reputation which takes its name from the street in which it is located, off Upper Street, in the London Borough of Islington. The theatre produces a diverse range of drama and holds an annual summer festival of...
in London (14 March to 15 April 1995).
Like the film it was also directed by Rickman, starring Law, Reid, Voe and John Wark, with Siân Thomas
Sian Thomas
Siân Thomas is an award-winning Welsh actress who trained at the Central School of Speech and Drama.She has appeared on stage, on TV and in films such as Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix in which she played Amelia Bones. She also appeared in the classic 1992 Spanish television series...
in the role of Frances, played in the film by Emma Thompson.
Reception
The film was met warmly by critics, with Thompson winning an award at the Venice Film FestivalVenice Film Festival
The Venice International Film Festival is the oldest international film festival in the world. Founded by Count Giuseppe Volpi in 1932 as the "Esposizione Internazionale d'Arte Cinematografica", the festival has since taken place every year in late August or early September on the island of the...
. But it was "Robin Don's remarkable set ... that grabs you before anything else" (Michael Billington
Michael Billington (critic)
Michael Keith Billington is a British author and arts critic. Drama critic of The Guardian since October 1971, he is "Britain's longest-serving theatre critic" and the author of biographical and critical studies relating to British theatre and the arts; most notably, he is the authorised...
in The Guardian
The Guardian
The Guardian, formerly known as The Manchester Guardian , is a British national daily newspaper in the Berliner format...
, 25 January 1995): a house interior, promenade and snowbound seascape, which won Don the Design award in the Critics' Circle Theatre Awards in 1995.
Awards and nominations
- British Independent Film AwardsBritish Independent Film AwardsThe Moët British Independent Film Awards is an annual award ceremony celebrating achievement in independently funded British film and cinema. Nominations and jury are announced at the beginning of November with the award ceremony taking place in late November or early December.-History:The British...
(UK)- Nominated: Best British Actress (Emma Thompson)
- Brussels International Film Festival | Brussels Film Festival (Belgium)
- Won: Audience Award (Alan Rickman)
- Chicago Film FestivalChicago International Film FestivalThe Chicago International Film Festival is an annual film festival held every fall. Founded in 1964, it is the longest-running competitive film festival in North America....
(USA)- Won: Gold Hugo – Best Film (Alan Rickman)
- European Film Awards
- Nominated: Best Actress – Leading Role (Emma Thompson)
- Venice Film FestivalVenice Film FestivalThe Venice International Film Festival is the oldest international film festival in the world. Founded by Count Giuseppe Volpi in 1932 as the "Esposizione Internazionale d'Arte Cinematografica", the festival has since taken place every year in late August or early September on the island of the...
(Italy)- Won: 'CinemAvvenire' Award (Alan Rickman; tied with A Ostra e o Vento and Giro di lune tra terra e mare).
- Won: OCIC Award (Alan Rickman)
- Won: Pasinetti Award – Best Actress (Emma Thompson)
- Nominated: Golden LionGolden LionIl Leone d’Oro is the highest prize given to a film at the Venice Film Festival. The prize was introduced in 1949 by the organizing committee and is now regarded as one of the film industry's most distinguished prizes...
(Alan Rickman)
External links
- Rotten Tomatoes http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/winter_guest/