DRAMA. “Goodbye June.” / “The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry.” / “Adopt a Highway.” / “The Dish & the Spoon.”

“Goodbye June” (2025, Netflix) Christmas family drama film directed by Kate Winslet in her directorial debut. Set during Christmas, in which the characters gather around their dying mother, and confront themes of grief, reconciliation, and love. The screenplay was written by Kate's son Joe Anders.



       Honest, involved performances punctuate this decidedly tearful Christmas festival. Because of that, the often abused sibling drama or whiny family joust is forgotten. 

In one sitting: Helen Mirren, Andrea Riseborough, Toni Collette, Johnny Flynn, Timothy Spall, and of course, Kate Winslet. How could we miss that? 🎥💻📽


“The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry” (2023, Amazon Prime). A heartwarming British story, adapted from Rachel Joyce's novel, about an ordinary retiree, Harold, who walks across England (about 600 miles) to deliver a letter to his dying former colleague, Queenie, believing his journey will keep her alive. 



       An emotionally impactful film in its linear simplicity. Jim Broadbent as Harold Fry is classic art. He totally embodied the character with sincere depth, subtle wonder, and painstaking vulnerability. 

       Hettie Macdonald's direction is involved without falling into the cracks of melodramatic confection. A must-see for the entire family. 🎥👍📽


“Adopt a Highway” (2019, Hulu) drama film. When an ex-convict finds an abandoned baby in a dumpster, he gains a new lease on life, deciding to dedicate himself to making sure the child has a good life. 



       The “I found the baby in a dumpster” take-off is a sketchy bit as the story drags along, without the child, most of the way. He reluctantly surrendered the baby to the authorities. 

        But this is Ethan Hawke's Russell Millings that we are talking about so everything is forgivable. It is fun to watch Ethan embody a character as his second skin. Truly a consummate artist. 🎥💻📽


“The Dish & the Spoon” (2011, Tubi) drama. A scorned, unhinged woman who forms a bond with a stranded British teen that she finds in a lighthouse. Stars Greta Gerwig and this all about her as the baffling or asymmetrical Rose, period.



       The other character is Olly Alexander as just Boy. Other than he looks like a young Bob Geldof, he is pretty much a skinny tree who could talk a bit.

       As the usual case, prosaic indies such as this (directed by Alison Bagnall) are praised by critics. I don't. That'd be relevant that Ms Gerwig is always fun to watch. 🎥💻📽

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