Film No. 68. THE GREAT ESCAPER (2024). 18th Oct.

 

Film No. 68  (2024) Oct 18th.  10.10 AM  TOHO Namba Complex, Cinema 11, Osaka, Japan.

"Unless you have to?" (Reenie answers Bernie's question about not leaving her alone, for a day or two). 

WINNER: Best Actor (Michael Caine) Barcelona-Sant Jordi I.F.F.

Would the real Bernie Jordan and family have been "chuffed" that he and wife Reenie were played by British legends of the screen, Michael Caine and Glenda Jackson? Most definitely and with good reason; the film is a fine tribute piece.

In 2014, Bernie Jordon created headlines when he walked out of his Hove (UK) care facility and caught a ferry across the channel, aged 89, without official registration, to be a part of the 70th Anniversary celebrations of the D Day landings in Normandy. Wife Reenie (Irene) held the secret, as his carers made a public plea to find Bernie. Oliver Parker (AN IDEAL HUSBAND) creates a multi  layered film celebrating love, care, compassion and aging with great dignity. 

Caine and Jackson combine to work a magic only masterful performers can achieve. Sure, the story is based on real events, but creating a couple truly devoted to each other with such conviction takes rare skill. Jackson deserved such a film as her farewell to us all.  10GUMS.