Starring: Helen Mirren, Donald Sutherland, Christian McKay, Dana Ive
Distributor: Entertainment One Films
Runtime: 114 mins. Reviewed in Jun 2018
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While the film focuses on an elderly married couple, the Leisure Seeker of the title is actually their rather old caravan. There is a sense of tension at the opening when William, the son of the couple, and his frantically searching for his parents only to find that their house is empty.
No need to worry – or, perhaps, many reasons to worry. Under the guidance of Ella, Helen Mirren with a South Carolina accent, she and her husband John, Donald Sutherland, driving out of their Massachusetts town, going on vacation. Their son William (Christian McKay) is more than worried. Their daughter, Jane (Janel Moloney) is concerned. Ella phones from time to time, not revealing their location, trying to reassure her children. In fact, during the journey, the film returns to the children and their discussions and worries. Their mother has terminal cancer but refuses treatment. Their father is suffering from increasing senility.
On the one hand, this road story is presented as “realistic” but, there are many episodes that somewhat defy realism, especially John’s capacity for driving and Ella’s capacity for keeping going. On the other hand, if the story is seen as something of hopeful imagination, it works much better for the comedy and the drama.
Starting in New England, the couple drive down the east coast, stopping in Pennsylvania, stopping in Williamsburg Virginia, making their way south so that they can visit Hemingway’s house in the Florida Keys. John has been a literature Professor. A major part of his memory consists of the works of Hemingway which he is able to quote, discuss with those waiting on him at diners or anyone who offers friendly attention, appreciating the insights of American literature. Ella, on the other hand, tries hard to keeping focused, sometimes getting impatient, at other times very tender with him, drawing him back to reality, continually showing slides at their caravan stops, reminding him of their past and of their children.
Ella continues to chat – which, despite Helen Mirren doing the chatting, is sometimes wearying. John continues to wander, an amiable man although, at one stage, he unwittingly reveals a past betrayal.
There are quite a few entertaining incidental characters, at the diners, at the caravan camps, at an old people’s home (with a brief cameo by an irascible Dick Gregory).
The purpose of the journey is, of course, to recapture the past for one last time. And so, to how Ella will handle the end of the journey. In many ways, they are both terminal and she makes decisions about this. Not everyone will agree with what she does but, in terms of a humanist society, she acts in accordance with her feelings and her conscience. For those who disagree with her, it is a challenge to appreciate and understand her perspective.
This is a film for mixed reactions. Some older audiences will identify with the characters, their long lives and their long love for each other, this last journey. And the talent of the two stars and happiness as well is the pathos the of their interactions enhance this. Other audiences may find the film difficult, maybe making comparisons with their own lives and being somewhat exasperated by this journey of Ella and John.
Peter Malone MSC is an Associate of the Australian Catholic Office for Film and Broadcasting.
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