Ordinary Love

Lisa Barros D'Sa and Glenn Leyburn's 'Ordinary Love' tells exactly the story promised by its title - gently and precisely chronicles a year of crisis in the life of a most ordinary married couple. This might not sound like the most enticing formula but it is a very moving film that cuts straight to the bone and onto the heart without even trying. Liam Neeson and Lesley Manville are superb together. The terrific chemistry between the actors help elevate the story above cancer clichés or cheap sentimentality.

I saw this film for lead actors. The story, at the first sigh, is too personal . And it was one of films responding, in precise and fair manner to my expectations. Because it gives the portrait of realities behind the words. Because the acting is beautiful, the story touching and, if you have one of slice from it in your own life, you know , in dipper way , why this film is special, sure, only as sketch. A powerful love story. And a great picture of fight for survive.

It's a lovely, quiet movie. It's how a mature couple would respond to something as dreadful as cancer. In the end, it's their unwavering love for each other with a dash of humor, and sometimes pigheadedness, that wins the day. But, more important, in this time of challenge, they are able to reach out to others in the same situation.

Tom and Joan are a lovely couple. Their acting is so natural, and it's what extraordinary love looks like.

Neeson and Manville have a chemistry that I have rarely seen. Their banter their body languague everything is so believable and relatable. They share a love that is in the little things. They don't have to talk about love you can see it in the way they spend their time together. Watch them go through the worst of times always knowing that they have each other. A great movie about sacrifice, love, loyalty and hope. Honest in it's pictures and performances.

As I watched this I found myself wondering how younger folks react to this movie. My wife and I are in a similar situation, older, retired, and long-time married. Our daily life and conversations are not that different from what is depicted here.

Lesley Manville (early 60s) is Joan and Liam Neeson (late 60s) is her husband Tom. As the movie begins they are on one of their walks, her short legs must move almost twice as fast as his. After they cross the bridge and get to a certain tree they turn around and head back. About 12 months later the movie ends the very same way.

In between Joan discovers a lump in one of her breasts and this starts a series of doctor visits, hospital visits, treatments, and making unexpected new friends. The movie examines the relationship between the long-time married couple, their devotion to each other, their working together to get past this big speed bump in life.

This is a good movie, we enjoyed it at home on DVD from our public library. Romantic attraction is usually what gets a couple together but ordinary love is what keeps them together.