Love & Death on Long Island

Richard Kwietniowski, 1997 (93 mins, Cert. 15)

John Hurt is triumphant in an attractive adaptation of Gilbert Adair's novel about a middle-aged intellectual who falls for a B-movie actor. His infatuation evolves into obsession as he travels from London to the sleepy Long Island town to track the actor down. Aided by Jason Priestly and Sheila Hancock, first-time director Richard Kwietniowski has made a warm and funny film about the clash of cultures and technology, and the discovery of beauty and love in unexpected places. A rare treat.
(Barbican publicity)

The story of how Hurt's ivory tower novelist, Giles De'Ath, decides after the death of his wife that he's tired of hearing himself say "no" and, spurred on by his crush on an actor in terrible teen movies, sets about embracing the modern world and his own sexuality, is engagingly told. The film is often laugh-out-loud funny as the quintessential English old-fogey De'Ath gets to grips with modern technology and small-town America, while at the same time very serious as he moves in on his target like a rather different kind of stalker. The resolution is touching, up-beat, and hopeful.
(Steve Fagg)

Seen: Monday, 6th July, 1998 (Barbican 1)