Rhubarb and Roses

A mother has cancer that will slowly eat her away until she eventually dies. She turns to her son, Ricky to help her die and they plan one final evening in together where he will cook her favourite food before he helps her. However not everything can go right on this difficult night.

Shown as part of the Birmingham Film Festival this short was one of eight to be shown that were produced by Screen West Midlands and were predominately set in the Midlands using Midlands based actors and crew. I knew nothing about this short before I watched it and in reality the plot summary above doesn't do it justice.

The summary suggests this has some sort of twist that makes it a drama but really it is a straight forward story that is moving nonetheless. The plot does exactly what it says it will - a woman wants to die with her son's help. It's a simple tale set around the final last meal but the honest emotion that comes from it is enough to justify watching this short.

The performances are both good. They are typical Brummies and they bring this to their roles. The emotion is not painted on like it could have been in a Hollywood film, instead it is honest and not forced. The denouncement is good - simple yet moving.

Overall this is simply made with a simple story and a small cast. It is moving and involving with the simplest of touches. Well worth a view if you get the chance.