One of the uniquely strange benefits of this lockdown is that I finally have the time to catch up with interesting and lovely films like this one.
The Bookshop based on a Penelope Fitzgerald novel of the same name. The film is about Florence Green (Emily Mortimer), a young widower following her dream to own a bookshop. She buys an old house in a small village in England and proceeds to transform the old house into a bookshop. Isabel Coixet (Elegy, 2008), wrote and directed this lovely film. Although light on plot, it still works fine just the way it is. The performances are excellent, full of interesting characters typical of a small European town.
The always excellent Bill Nighy Plays Mr. Brundish, a grumpy yet lovable hermit who spends his days of isolation and solitude reading anything Ms. Green recommends and sends his way. Florence introduces Mr. Brundish to new and noteworthy authors like Ray Bradbury and Vladimir Nabokov’s Lolita. Which as a former bookseller myself, I found those scenes to be very moving. Patricia Clarkson plays Violet Gamart, the local socialite set against the idea of a bookshop in the old house, and is determined to get rid of Florence at any cost. But the scene-stealer in this film is young Christine, played by Honor Kneafsey. Christine works at the bookstore as the one and only employee and quickly becomes an essential part of the bookstore operations.
There is much narration throughout this movie, which I enjoy. I’m a big fan of narration in films. But all in all, if you love literature, and stories set in English villages, then you will find The Bookshop to be quite enjoyable.
Three out of Five Popcorn Bags 🍿🍿🍿
The Bookshop (2017, Now Streaming)
Rod Rioja 