Living (2023), directed by Oliver Hermanus

Mr Williams is a mid-level paper pusher at the London County Council in the 1950s. A reserved widower, he lives as a spare wheel with his son and daughter-in-law and commutes into London with the other men in suits and bowler hats. When he receives a terminal diagnosis, Mr Williams realises the pointless narrowness of his life. After contemplating suicide and a wild couple of days on the coast, he spends a few weeks thinking while siting in parks. He doesn’t tell his family or colleagues anything. Befriended by a former subordinate, the young and vibrant Miss Harris, Mr Williams decides to put some effort into gaining a small victory that gives what remains of his life meaning. Written by Kashuo Ishigura, based on a Kurasawa classic film, it is no surprise that this is a very small, quiet story. It clearly depicts the rigid class divide in post war England, with a mildly amusing script and beautiful cinematography. Bill Nighy is note perfect in the lead role, while Sex Education’s Aimee-Lou Wood is lovely as the sympathetic Miss Harris. Slow, but never dull, the film finishes on a slightly mawkish note but this doesn’t detract from the whole understated and moving tale of a life well ended.