After Love film review: A captivating story of grief
James City A.M. s film editor and a regular on both TV and radio discussing the latest movie releases
Many independent dramas deal with the subject of grieving, a topic too sombre for commercial films but one that remains pertinent to everyone. However, Aleem Khan’s debut feature takes an unusual route to tell its story even for a film outside of the mainstream.
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Joanna Scanlan stars as Mary, a British woman converted to Islam years ago when she married her husband Ahmed (Nasser Memarzia). Their happy life in Dover is halted when Ahmed dies suddenly, leaving Mary devastated. While going through his belongings, Mary finds evidence of a secret life – a lover named Genevieve (Nathalie Richard) and a son named Solomon (Talid Ariss). Mary doesn’t correct Genevieve when she mistakes her for a cleaner, and enters their house as they prepare to move. As she grapples with grief, she also struggles to c
Nathalie Ricard and Joanna Scanlan stare out to sea in After Love
Credit: Handout
Dir: Aleem Khan. Starring: Joanna Scanlan, Nathalie Richard, Talid Ariss, Nasser Memarzia. 12A cert, 89 min
In the opening shot of After Love – an intriguing, forcefully acted British debut – Mary Hussain (Joanna Scanlan) goes from contented wife to despairing widow. We’re in the kitchen of her home in Dover. One minute, she’s pottering around in her headscarf while her husband Ahmed (Nasser Memarzia) puts his feet up. The next, she finds out he’s not breathing. The static camera never tracks in to intrude on this awful moment of discovery, but maintains a discreet distance. It’s the film’s best shot by a long chalk.