Hi everyone
As you know we are once again stepping up to help run the local community cinema based in Newhaven. The monthly film night is once again in our diary and a priority for us. We’ve got a great bunch of regular helpers and we are a team working together to show films that are mainly independent and slightly quirky and/or films that might have been missed by the community when they came out.
Last Saturday we showed Living starring Bill Nighy.
Oh my word, Nighy is so quintessentially British with that voice of his. He’s getting on a bit (although he is actually three years younger than me at 74) but, he’s still quite the charmer. I’m interested though, how does he translate abroad? Those of you living elsewhere, what do you think of him or is he someone who is just isn’t on your radar.
He has, by the way, appeared in that huge mainstream series Pirates of the Caribbean as the villain Davy Jones, but as his face was totally obscured with tentacles I doubt you would have recognised him, and also he’s been in the Harry Potter series of films, playing the role of Rufus Scrimgeour (no, can’t recall that). And did anyone see him in Hope Gap with Annette Bening? That was a bit of a misery fest depicting a failing marriage but it was filmed in Seaford near Newhaven and we spent most of the time saying, ‘oooh, look, that’s the road down, you know…’, and, ‘oh wow, that’s you know, there…’! Apparently Annette Bening was, for the first time, introduced to fish and chips. I wonder what she thought of that very British dish!! Indeed, Nighy is mainly known for acting in numerous small independent British films like Hope Gap, usually, as described above, as the quintessentially modest, retiring and slightly awkward Brit.
And that is exactly what Nighy plays in the film, Living, which was directed by Oliver Hermanus from a screenplay by Kazuo Ishiguro. However, despite it being a very British film set in the 1950s it is actually a remake of a Japanese film Ikuru, which in turn was apparently inspired by Tolstoy’s The Death of Ivan Ilyich. The film is about a man faced with a fatal diagnosis and how he attempts to turn his somewhat pointless existence into something more enriching and rewarding. And he kind of succeeds albeit annoying his nearest relatives hugely. It is a bitter sweet and intelligent film well worth watching, not the least for Nighy’s performance.
Numbers were a bit down but I think that was because it was quite a popular film when it came out and we had people in who’d missed it. Nevertheless, it was a great excuse for me to dress up – and I did!
I wore two charity shop items, my Riker boots bought last year for £8, and a very large black hoodie, but I’d recently bought a new skirt in a sale. Here it is.
And close up you can see the gold sequins dotted throughout the skirt.
Here I am without the hoodie.
And with the hoodie. Someone recently said, ‘why are you wearing that…?’ That being the hoodie, which he (not Mr F) thought rather odd worn with ‘nice clothes’. But this is my style to not wear ‘pretty’ but be slightly edgy pairing the clumpy boots and an overlarge hoodie with a ‘nice’ skirt.
I must say I am loving being back helping with this local cinema. Long may we continue to do this as I consider bringing films, that are independent rather than mainstream, slightly niche and a bit quirky, to a community that hasn’t got a cinema hugely rewarding.
That’s all for now, with love, Penny, the Frugalfashionshopper
We used to go to see films in a community hall some 40 + years ago when cinema was very much in the doldrums. There was a tea and biscuits break in the middle of the films which were shown from big reels, if I remember correctly. Now where we live films are shown in our local hall but we’ve never been. I was going to go to see one in the afternoon about Richard III which I’d missed but I was in hospital! It costs nearly the same as our local Vue cinema – 15 mins by car and very easy parking – so we tend to go there in the daytime, the local showings are usually evenings. I like Bill Nighy a lot but I wasn’t sure if the film was right for me in the circumstances.
Glad you’ve got a community cinema near you. We’re showing the one about the search for Richard III’s grave later in the year, you’d like it. Yes, indeed, the film Living is about someone with a diagnosis of cancer, but it’s more about his wish to ‘live’ with a capital L and how he manages to do just that. All played with Nighy’s usual laid-back Britishness. The 1950s touches are very good and the reactions to his attempts to live a more fruitful life rather reminded me of my parents and their view that you had to be ‘correct and proper’ in everything you did and very much follow the rules of society. But only watch if you are in the right mood. But it’s not depressing. Now a really depressing film is the latest Ken Loach, The Old Oak. Someone told us it was good and we watched it to see if it was suitable to show at our cinema – OMG what a sad film. OK, it was quite true to life, but there was very little light relief in it. A quality film, yes, but not a bundle of laughs!
Thanks Linda and are you packing yet? I do find that enjoyable 🙂
Yes, off tomorrow. Taking far too much as usual and lots of glitzy stuff as this will very probably be my final cruise so last chance to shine!
OH WOW! ENJOY!!!
Well I think the hoody looks just perfect with the rest! Great skirt btw. I can imagine you love to help out there.
Thanks Nancy, and yes I was pleased to have found the skirt. And I love helping this community cinema to function – it’s a labour of love.
Loved the film and love Bill Nighy. He is so perfect for that kind of role and I thought he played it exquisitely. Apparently he is very similar if you meet him. My husband got chatting to him outside a gents outfitters in London – as you do! He said he was the perfect gent, well dressed, courteous and understated.
The hoodie looks great. I love the juxtaposition of a sparkly skirt and the hoodie and boots. It’s very you. Glad you are out and about again. Take care.
Oh wow, fancy your husband just chatting to Bill Nighy and of course, outside a gent’s outfitter!
And thanks for the kind words about the skirt – it was a great find! just about over the ‘cough’ – phew! 🙂
I Love Bill Nighy he’s very underrated I think, he has a huge back catalogue of movies, loved him in Love Actually and The Best Marigold Hotel with Penelope Wilton, another great British Actress. Love the outfit Penny and especially the Belt, that buckle is fab.
Marie (64 in Dublin Ireland)
I agree he’s underrated and I also agree he’s done huge number of films and very popular with it too.
Yay that belt – it was bought new but it wasn’t expensive and I’ve worn it a lot since.
Thanks Marie 🙂
Your outfit looks very stylish, including the hoodie. And I loved the film, it really struck a chord with me. Bill Nighy is great in it!
Thanks re: the outfit, it’s very me and just right for film night. So glad you loved the film – it is excellent.
Thanks again 🙂
I didn’t think I’d like the outfit from the description, but it looks great! I love that skirt especially – thanks for the rationale for the hoodie…
This American adores Bill Nighy! We watched Living on a streaming service last year – so understated, yet powerful. He is iconic in Love Actually, and an incredibly sweet movie called About Time from 2013 (Richard Curtis strikes again!) that I’ve watched multiple times. He’s one of those men like Sean Connery – incredibly attractive no matter how old they are!
Bravo on keeping the film series going – sound like an incredibly fun community service.
That hoodie is just right for film night as I’m the only one that dresses up, so a hoodie is a good item to wear to slightly ‘dress it down’.
It’s so interesting to hear that Bill Nighy is popular outside the UK. He’s definitely the pinnacle of a certain type of Englishman, now increasingly rare, as latterly I associate that upper crust type with boors like Boris Johnson. But enough of that person, let’s revel in the delight at seeing Bill Nighy act in very British films. If you haven’t seen Hope Gap with Annette Bening I’d very much recommend, not the least as it shows a town near me.
Thanks Mary K 🙂
Your outfit is another winner. especially the skirt. I did see Living last year and loved it. To me anything Bill Nighy does is worth seeing. I have a couple of cultural outings planed for the next month. This weekend I will see my son in law in a local production of Arsenic and Old lace, and next Saturday my son will accompany me to a concert at New York’s Lincoln Center. On the 22 my daughter will visit the Frick Museum, also in Manhattan. I have not planned what I will wear but will come up with something from my wardrobe. I have really been trying to to “shop my closet” and I have been pleasantly surprised with the complements I have received for items which in some cases are decades old. Love, Darby
So glad to hear you like Bill Nighy who is so very English albeit a diminishing type in this current age. He has made many small independent films, it’s good to hear he’s well known outside the UK.
Love to hear of your cultural pursuits and that of your wardrobe, which sounds as though you have some well loved older items that are very much appreciated by one and all!
Thanks so much Darby 🙂
I love Bill Nighy and first noticed him in the Underworld series of movies. I think he is just the best actor. I did read he and Anna Wintour are an item, but I wonder if that isn’t because they both love fashion. I just found Living on Netflix so we shall watch that after we get done with that dreadful Aquaman! I think it’s wonderful you’ve been able to resurrect your film night. And, your outfit is spectacularly you! Yes, the hoodie is unexpected, but that’s what makes it so edgy! Love the sequins scattered around your skirt, too! That belt so nicely defines your middle. You look absolutely amazing, Penny! I hope both you and Mr. F are doing much better these days.
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I also read that he and Anna Wintour were an item – what a pair! You will love Living as it’s excellent and a total delight.
Thanks so much for the kind words about my outfit. Thanks Marsha – we are almost over that blooming cough! You take care too 🙂
I love your style: it is very fun and a mixture of feminine and edgy.
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Love the outfit Penny. It’s your edgy twist!
I expect most Americans will remember Nighy from Love Actually. We made a rare trip to the cinema to see Living. I sometimes go to the cinema during the afternoon because public transport in London is free for me and the ticket is only £5. Sadly hardly any one else goes, so I can’t see it lasting for much longer.
I love the dress up items Penny, especially the sparkly black skirt. I don’t think it at all odd with black hoody! Just my sort of thing, and great that you have got back into the swing of things after your illnesses. Re Bill Nighy, he is a favourite actor of mine, but don’t forget he also did all the Charles Paris, audio dramas for the BBC radio 4, all dramatised by Jeremy Front and very funny! I wish they would do more audio drama like this on Radio 4. It used to be so good. Now I mainly listen to repeats on 4 extra. What a pity that the BBC can never tell when it’s on to a good thing. They had the podcast about the Post Office, discussing in depth the whole situation yet it took ITV to put out a play. Enjoy the unexpected Spring weather. Trish S
I really only know him from the Harry Potter Movies and Love Actually but he definitely seems quintessentially British to me. Your outfit is really cute and feels trendy to me with the pairing of the clunky boots and the hoodie. Our neighborhood cinema shut down when I was a girl but it re-opened several years ago as a small community play house and we’ve enjoyed going a few times to see live performances.
I always feel very put together in black!
Penny, I thought of you this morning when I put together my version of an edgy outfit. It comprised an off-white light-grey speckled longish cable sweater dress with dark blue skinny jeans and black bovver boots, topped with a dark grey gilet lightened with a lovely multi-coloured brooch, a treasured gift from a dear late friend. ‘Crikey,’ I thought as I looked at myself, ‘very Penny! Where’s me (sic) hoodie?!’ It wasn’t at all dull or depressing as I added little pearly drop earrings to complement my silver bob, put on silver rings and a bright lipstick and you know what? I felt good all day! Score One for the Olds!
Now, darling Bill Nighy and his films. Loved him in About Time and the Marigold films and am so looking forward to seeing him in Living. And yes, he was good in his role in Love Actually but, am I the only person on the planet who doesn’t like that film? I can’t abide it, I’m afraid, despite sitting through it several times. The lovely closing photo montage is by far the best thing as far as I’m concerned. Give me Four Weddings and a Funeral or The Holiday any day. I know, there’s no accounting for taste, is there? (giggle).
You mentioned books recently. Have you read A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Blackman? I loved it and while it’s not in the least edgy, which I know you like, you still might enjoy its humour despite if featuring an old curmudgeon. I believe it’s now been made into a film starring Tom Hanks. Whether he adopts a Swedish accent, I don’t know, but I can just imagine him in the part – or Bill Nighy in an Anglicised version. I’m usually wary of seeing the film after I’ve read the book, but this one intrigues me…
It’s good to know that you and Mr F are improving and getting your out-and-about mojo back. Keep up the good work as Spring is already bringing bright tidings. We’ve had primulas out since before Christmas, and now snowdrops, daffodils and crocuses are also putting in a show around the village. Yay!
Take care now.
Zepherine x
Bill Nighy I haven’t seen this film but to me is always the same whatever he is in.