Viewers are likely to know Timothy Spall even though he’s no household name. The actor is famous for his many character roles such as Mr. Turner and in many supporting roles. In his latest film he plays an everyday man in what is a quiet and slow-burning drama.
The film is written and directed by Isabel Coixet (Elegy). Spall is pleasant to watch and creates quite a charming character, even if he is initially quite a nondescript man. Peter Riordan is a man with no wife, children or pets. He has devoted his life to working in a bank in Manchester. He sympathises with his clients and it is this very empathy that sees him offered early retirement.
Riordan leaves merry old England to visit Benidorm, a seaside town in Spain. The point was to meet his brother, who he hadn’t seen in years. But when he arrives, Riordan discovers his brother has vanished. This part of the narrative feels like a bit of an adventure as Riordan sets out to discover what has happened.
But the main crux of this story is actually about Riordan’s new connections with the women he meets abroad. There is a poetry-loving policewoman (Carmen Machi) including references made to the late Sylvia Plath and this had been her favourite holiday destination. There’s a mysterious cleaning lady (Ana Torrent). And finally, there is the smart and independent Alex (Sarita Choudhury), a burlesque dancer who had a business partnership with Riordan’s brother.
The characters in this story are quite well-written, even if things move along quite slowly. Alex makes Riordan try new things. He eventually comes to realise that life is about more than his fascination with the weather. Also, that it’s important to have romance and friendship. The actors put in very solid performances, and Spall and Choudhury have believable chemistry. But Choudhury does struggle with the dancing here, the choreography feels awkward at times. But this is but a minor criticism.
It Snows in Benidorm looks like an ode to the everyday whereby Riordan is taken out of his comfort zone and thrives. This serves as a catalyst to where he learns some life lessons. This will certainly have a charm and appeal to some audiences while others may find things a little too quiet and sleepy on this particular holiday.
TWO AND A HALF STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
It Snows in Benidorm is playing in cinemas nationally.
