John Hurt stars in Sailcloth, a beautifully shot and, initially, heartwarming short about a man who escapes his retirement home for trip on his sail boat.
On the boat he imagines himself dancing with his late wife and clearly relishes being back in the grip of nature, just him, his memories and the sea.
But what starts as a silent, geriatric version of Ferris Bueller’s Day Off takes a darker turn in the final minutes as Hurt’s unnamed character ties a weight around his ankle, sets fire the boat and takes a plunge into the sea.
The film is the work of writer/director Elfar Adalsteins who has crafted a gorgeous tale of the end of a man’s life without once descending into mawkishness or triteness.
Loss and bereavement are sensations which words can never truly convey. By relying only on Hurt’s magnificent expressions and a heart-tugging score, the film neatly captures the epic loneliness of both.
Running less than 20 minutes, Sailcloth leaves you wanting more and yet at the same time you come away feeling you know all there is about the man’s backstory.
A fantastically simple idea, gloriously realised.
Our verdict: 4/5
For more about the film visit facebook.com/sailclothfilm