Film Review: Evening

You might want to go alone and definitely will require some Kleenex. Several outstanding actors play various parts in this film adapted from a novel by Michael Cunningham. Some do a better job than others but it is worth the price to see them all play together. Vanessa Redgrave plays the part of Ann. She is dying and her two daughters have come to be with her. One of the daughters is played by her real daughter, Natasha Richardson. The other daughter is played by Toni Collette. Ann comes in and out of the real world. She keeps talking about someone named Harris. The daughters have no idea who he is. The film goes back and forth from the death bed to the real life enactment of Ann as a gorgeous young woman who wanted to be a singer. We meet her initially when she comes to be an attendant for her best friend’s wedding. Lila is about to get married to Carl. Glen Close plays the part of the sophisticated rich mother. Harris is a friend of the family but also is the son of a former housekeeper. It seems as if everyone loves Harris. Ann falls for Harris. The bride Lila claims she has always loved Harris. Lila’s brother also seems to have a thing for Harris. I must admit I also thought he looked very hot. Lila marries and seems to go off to her own world and lose touch with Ann. I found it fascinating to learn that the younger Lila is played by Meryl Streep’s real daughter. She is beautiful and certainly looks like her mother.
Lila ( Meryl Streep) hears that Ann is dying and comes to pay a visit. I used to think Meryl Streep was the best actor around. Lately I have seen her play in films that would dispute my original thought. Her visit with her dying friend is more a cameo role. She arrives when the film is about to end. I did find her real daughter, who played her younger self to be attractive and a fine actress.
Ann’s daughters learn a lot about their mother. They learn even more about themselves. I found all of this to be very believable. When you are together in such an emotional state you tend to talk to one another. I liked that part of the film. Vanessa Redgrave was outstanding as the dying woman. I don’t like to be sexist but I have a feeling that men would find it all too syrupy and emotional.