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Living (2022 film)

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Living
Theatrical release poster
Directed byOliver Hermanus
Screenplay byKazuo Ishiguro
Based on
Ikiru
by
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyJamie D. Ramsay
Edited byChris Wyatt
Music byEmilie Levienaise-Farrouch
Production
companies
Distributed byLionsgate UK
Release dates
  • 21 January 2022 (2022-01-21) (Sundance)
  • 4 November 2022 (2022-11-04) (United Kingdom)
Running time
102 minutes
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish
Box office$12.1 million[1][2]

Living is a 2022 British historical drama film directed by Oliver Hermanus. Its screenplay by Kazuo Ishiguro was adapted from the 1952 Akira Kurosawa film Ikiru. Set in 1953 London, it stars Bill Nighy as a bureaucrat in the public works department who learns he has a fatal illness.

Living had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival on 21 January 2022, and was released in the UK on 4 November 2022, by Lionsgate. The film received positive reviews, with Nighy's performance receiving particular acclaim. At the 95th Academy Awards, Living received two nominations: Best Actor for Nighy and Best Adapted Screenplay for Ishiguro.

Plot

[edit]

Rodney Williams is a senior London County Council bureaucrat in 1953 London. He sits at his desk surrounded by piles of paperwork and seems uninspired. A group of women, led by Mrs. Smith, petitioned the council to redevelop a World War II bomb site into a children's playground. They are sent with their petition from department to department with a newer employee, Mr. Wakeling. Despite Wakeling's enthusiasm, he is stymied by an ossified and sclerotic bureaucracy at every step. The petition makes the usual circular rounds and ends back with Williams, who returns it to his pile of paperwork and makes clear to his colleagues his intention to take no further action.

When Williams receives a terminal cancer diagnosis, he attempts unsuccessfully to tell his son, Michael, and daughter-in-law, Fiona. Williams then chooses to withdraw half of his life savings, purchase a lethal amount of sleeping medicine, and commit suicide in a seaside resort town. Finding himself unable to go through with it, he gives the sleeping medicine to Mr. Sutherland, an insomniac writer he meets in a café. Moved by Williams's story, Sutherland takes him for a night on the town, where Williams replaces his traditional bowler hat with a fedora after a prostitute steals his bowler hat. The pair go to bars, sing, drink heavily, and attend a striptease/burlesque show.

Returning to London but not to work, Williams runs into Miss Margaret Harris, a young former subordinate who took up a position at a Lyon's Corner House restaurant while he was away. Williams's nosy neighbour spots the pair having lunch at the high-end restaurant Fortnum's and tells Fiona, who demands Michael speak to his father about the potential scandal. Meanwhile, Williams attempts to tell Michael about his diagnosis, but neither finds themselves able to bring up what they need to talk about.

As Williams's health worsens, he attempts to spend more time with Harris, whose youthful vigour he envies and would like to regain before he dies. Realising the best way to spend his remaining time is to do some good, Williams rallies the various departments to approve the construction of the children's playground. During this time, through their mutual respect for Williams, Harris, and Wakeling, they have grown fond of each other and are seen taking walks and sitting in parks together.

Although he is able to push the process through by standing up to his colleagues and superiors, Williams dies shortly after construction is finished. At his funeral, well-attended by the people he has helped, Michael guesses that Williams had told Harris about his diagnosis but not him.

Inspired by Williams's actions, his former colleagues pledged to uphold his example and become advocates for positive change but soon reverted to their old bureaucratic ways. Wakeling, who joined the office shortly before Williams's diagnosis, reads a letter left for him by Williams instructing him to remember the playground when he gets discouraged. Visiting the playground, Wakeling meets a police officer who tells him that he saw Williams there shortly before he died, rocking in the swing in the snow and singing the Scottish folk song "The Rowan Tree." The constable feels guilty that he let Williams sit in the cold in his condition. Wakeling consoles the officer, saying Rodney Williams was probably happier in that moment than he had been for a long time.

Cast

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Production

[edit]

In October 2020, the project was announced with Nobel Prize-winning novelist Ishiguro as screenwriter, and Nighy and Wood attached to star.[3] In December 2020, Lionsgate acquired the UK distribution rights.[4] In June 2021, principal photography began in the UK, Sharp and Burke were announced to have joined the film, and the first image from the film was released. It was also announced that Toho, the distributor of the original film, had acquired the rights for Japan. London's County Hall provided the backdrop for the film; in addition, the film was co-financed through the County Hall Arts charity.[5]

Release

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The film premiered at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival on 21 January 2022. Shortly after, Sony Pictures Classics acquired distribution rights to the film for North and Latin America, India, Scandinavia, Eastern Europe, Germany, South Africa, Southeast Asia and airlines worldwide for around $5 million in an auction that also included Neon, Bleecker Street and Focus Features among others.[6][7] Living screened at the 66th BFI London Film Festival in October 2022[8] and at the TCL Chinese Theatre as part of the 2022 AFI Fest on 6 November 2022.[9] The film was released theatrically in the United Kingdom on 4 November 2022, and had a limited theatrical release in the United States on 23 December 2022. As part of Sony's first-window deal with Netflix in the United States, the movie streamed from 5 June 2023.[10]

Reception

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Critical reception

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On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 96% based on 221 reviews, with an average rating of 8/10. The site's critics consensus reads: "Living sets a high bar for itself in setting out to remake a Kurosawa classic—and director Oliver Hermanus and star Bill Nighy clear it in triumphant fashion."[11] On Metacritic, it holds a weighted average score of 81 out of 100, based on 40 critics, indicating "universal acclaim".[12]

Matt Zoller Seitz of RogerEbert.com gave the film three out of four stars and wrote, "Living isn't a great movie—it's a little too subdued at times and has a tendency to fixate on Williams' mostly unarticulated sadness—but it's consistently involving."[13]

Richard Roeper of the Chicago Sun-Times also gave the film three out of four stars and wrote, "About two-thirds of the way through the film, Living takes such an abrupt turn that it almost feels as if several key scenes had been inadvertently excised — but then we wind back in time, and all is answered. Throughout, Bill Nighy carries the film effortlessly on his slender shoulders, reminding us of why he's an international treasure."[14]

Accolades

[edit]
Award Date of ceremony Category Recipient(s) Result Ref.
Hollywood Music in Media Awards November 16, 2022 Best Original Score in an Independent Film Emilie Levienaise-Farrouch Won [15]
British Independent Film Awards December 4, 2022 Best British Independent Film Oliver Hermanus, Kazuo Ishiguro, Stephen Woolley, Elizabeth Karlsen Nominated [16]
[17]
Best Director Oliver Hermanus Nominated
Best Lead Performance Bill Nighy Nominated
Best Supporting Performance Aimee Lou Wood Nominated
Best Screenplay Kazuo Ishiguro Nominated
Best Casting Kahleen Crawford Nominated
Best Costume Design Sandy Powell Nominated
Best Music Supervision Rupert Hollier Nominated
Best Production Design Helen Scott Won
National Board of Review December 8, 2022 Top 10 Independent Films Living Won [18]
Los Angeles Film Critics Association December 11, 2022 Best Lead Performance Bill Nighy Won [19]
Chicago Film Critics Association December 14, 2022 Best Actor Nominated [20]
Dallas–Fort Worth Film Critics Association 19 December 2022 Best Actor 4th place [21]
Alliance of Women Film Journalists 5 January 2023 Best Actor Nominated [22]
National Society of Film Critics January 7, 2023 Best Actor 3rd place [23]
San Francisco Bay Area Film Critics Circle January 9, 2023 Best Actor Nominated [24]
Best Adapted Screenplay Kazuo Ishiguro Nominated
Golden Globe Awards January 10, 2023 Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama Bill Nighy Nominated [25]
Critics' Choice Movie Awards January 15, 2023 Best Actor Nominated [26]
Best Adapted Screenplay Kazuo Ishiguro Nominated
Online Film Critics Society January 23, 2023 Best Actor Bill Nighy Nominated [27]
London Film Critics' Circle February 5, 2023 Film of the Year Living Nominated [28]
[29]
British/Irish Film of the Year Nominated
Actor of the Year Bill Nighy Nominated
British/Irish Actor of the Year (for body of work) Won
British Academy Film Awards February 19, 2023 Best Actor in a Leading Role Bill Nighy Nominated [30]
Best Adapted Screenplay Kazuo Ishiguro Nominated
Outstanding British Film Oliver Hermanus, Elizabeth Karlsen, Stephen Woolley, Kazuo Ishiguro Nominated
Satellite Awards March 3, 2023 Best Motion Picture – Drama Living Nominated [31]
Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama Bill Nighy Nominated
Best Adapted Screenplay Kazuo Ishiguro Nominated
Best Costume Design Sandy Powell Nominated
USC Scripter Awards 4 March 2023 Best Adapted Screenplay – Film Kazuo Ishiguro Nominated [32]
Academy Awards March 12, 2023 Best Actor Bill Nighy Nominated [33]
Best Adapted Screenplay Kazuo Ishiguro Nominated

References

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  1. ^ "Living (2022)". Box Office Mojo. IMDb. Retrieved 5 May 2023.
  2. ^ "Living (2022)". The Numbers. Nash Information Services, LLC. Retrieved 5 May 2023.
  3. ^ Wiseman, Andreas (15 October 2020). "'Living': Bill Nighy & Aimee Lou Wood To Star In Kazuo Ishiguro Adaptation Of Kurosawa's 'Ikiru' For 'Carol' Producer Number 9 & Rocket Science — AFM". Deadline. Retrieved 18 June 2021.
  4. ^ Grater, Tom (21 December 2020). "Lionsgate Takes UK On 'Ikiru' Remake 'Living' Starring Bill Nighy". Deadline. Retrieved 18 June 2021.
  5. ^ Yossman, K. J. (18 June 2021). "'Love Actually's' Bill Nighy Looks Dapper in First Image From Oliver Hermanus and Number 9 Films' 'Living'". Variety. Retrieved 18 June 2021.
  6. ^ Fleming, Mike Jr (25 January 2022). "Sony Pictures Classics Closes Sundance Deal For Bill Nighy Starrer 'Living'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 9 July 2024.
  7. ^ Rubin, Rebecca (25 January 2022). "Sundance: Sony Pictures Classics Buys 'Living' Remake Starring Bill Nighy". Variety. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
  8. ^ "BFI London Film Festival 2022 Unveils Immersive Art and Extended Realities Lineup". The World News. Retrieved 20 November 2022.
  9. ^ Hipes, Patrick (20 September 2022). "AFI Fest Adds 'Bardo', 'The Son', 'She Said', 'Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio', More to Red Carpet Lineup". Deadline. Retrieved 7 July 2024.
  10. ^ Moore, Kasey (22 May 2023). "'Living': Bill Nighy Oscar-Nominated Movie Sets Netflix US Release". What's on Netflix. Retrieved 26 May 2023.
  11. ^ "Living". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
  12. ^ "Living". Metacritic. Retrieved 26 January 2023.
  13. ^ Zoller Seitz, Matt (23 December 2022). "Living". RogerEbert.com. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
  14. ^ Roeper, Richard (5 January 2023). "'Living': Bill Nighy keeps it low-key in precise '50s period piece". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
  15. ^ Grein, Paul (3 November 2022). "Rihanna, Lady Gaga & More Nominated for 2022 Hollywood Music in Media Awards: Full List". Billboard. Retrieved 3 November 2022.
  16. ^ Ntim, Zac (4 November 2022). "British Independent Film Awards: 'Aftersun,' 'Blue Jean' & 'The Wonder' Lead Nominations". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
  17. ^ Ntim, Zac (18 November 2022). "British Independent Film Awards: 'Aftersun' Leads Craft Winners". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
  18. ^ Jones, Marcus (8 December 2022). "2022 National Board of Review Winners: 'Top Gun: Maverick' Takes Top Honor". IndieWire. Retrieved 8 December 2022.
  19. ^ Thomas, Carly (11 December 2022). "'Tár' and 'Everything Everywhere All at Once' Named Best Picture by L.A. Film Critics". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
  20. ^ Tallerico, Brian (12 December 2022). "Everything Everywhere All at Once Leads Chicago Film Critics Nominations". Rogerebert.com. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
  21. ^ Neglia, Matt (19 December 2022). "The 2022 Dallas Fort-Worth Film Critics Association (DFWFCA) Winners". Next Best Picture. Retrieved 20 December 2022.
  22. ^ "2022 EDA AWARDS NOMINEES". Alliance of Women Film Journalists. Retrieved 23 December 2022.
  23. ^ Zilko, Christian (7 January 2023). "'TÁR' and 'Aftersun' Win Big at National Society of Film Critics Awards (Complete Winners List)". IndieWire. Retrieved 7 January 2023.
  24. ^ Neglia, Matt (6 January 2023). "The 2022 San Francisco Bay Area Film Critics Circle (SFBAFCC) Nominations". Next Best Picture. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
  25. ^ Lang, Brent; Moreau, Jordan (12 December 2022). "Golden Globes 2023: Complete Nominations List". Variety. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
  26. ^ Verhoeven, Beatrice (14 December 2022). "Everything Everywhere All At Once Leads 2023 Critics Choice Awards Film Nominations". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 14 December 2022. Retrieved 14 December 2022.
  27. ^ Neglia, Matt (23 January 2023). "The 2022 Online Film Critics Society (OFCS) Winners". Next Best Picture. Retrieved 23 January 2023.
  28. ^ Pulver, Andrew (21 December 2022). "The Banshees of Inisherin leads pack as London film critics announce nominations". The Guardian. Retrieved 22 December 2022.
  29. ^ Pulver, Andrew (5 February 2023). "Tár and The Banshees of Inisherin take top honours at London film critics awards". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 24 October 2023. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
  30. ^ Ntim, Zac (19 January 2023). "BAFTA Film Awards Nominations: 'All Quiet On The Western Front,' 'Banshees Of Inisherin' & 'Everything Everywhere All At Once' Lead — The Complete List". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 19 January 2023.
  31. ^ Anderson, Erik (8 December 2022). "'Top Gun: Maverick' leads International Press Academy's 27th Satellite Awards nominations". AwardsWatch. Retrieved 8 December 2022.
  32. ^ Davis, Clayton (18 January 2023). "USC Scripter Awards 2023 Nominations: 'Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio' Becomes First Animated Nominee, 'Top Gun: Maverick' Flies In". Variety. Retrieved 18 January 2023.
  33. ^ Lang, Brent; Moreau, Jordan (24 January 2023). "Oscar Nominations 2023: 'Everything Everywhere' Leads With 11 Nods, Followed by 'Banshees' and 'All Quiet'". Variety. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
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