User reviews

On the positive side, the acting was great. I particularly liked Jennifer Saunders' portrayal of a dedicated, no-nonsense ward sister, and David Bradley's retired miner. The underlying message of the threat to the NHS by those that don't understand its core values is an important one. But this film was not the way to make that point.

Although, as you'd expect with a strong cast, the acting was great, many of the characters were tediously stereotyped: the charming Asian doctor who 'loved old people', the bubbly, enthusiastic nurse, a range of old people who used Alan Bennett one-liners to establish themselves as sweetly eccentric, away with the fairies, or curmudgeonly in a loveable way. You could tell just by the body language that the children of an old lady were up to no good and just wanted to fleece her. The son of the miner who had gone South to forge a successful career as a management consultant was predictably transformed from an over-confident critic of the hospital to a supporter.

The setting was not so much stereotyped as confusing. The threatened hospital did have one doctor, one nurse, a sister, and a physiotherapist, and some of the patients were sick - indeed the plot hinged on a character who was worried that if he improved he'd be sent back to a nursing home. But most of the activities that we saw suggested that the institution was a care home - the old people seemed to be long-term residents and were well enough to shuffle around doing craft activities and reminiscence therapy. A film crew from the local paper were drifting around interviewing residents. It was as if the original intention was to make a film about a care home, but they then realised that if they wanted the message to be about the NHS, they needed to make it into a hospital.

I won't include spoilers but just to say that just when you think this is going to be a totally saccharine experience, where the struggling hospital will be saved from closure, there is a plot twist that acts like a hand grenade in derailing all expectations. It might have worked if the rest of the film had been more believable, but it seemed totally unsatisfactory in the context of the rest of the film.

And then, at the end we have bolted on a section where the nice doctor is now in a covid ward, making a heartfelt plea for the continuation of the NHS, while showing devastating scenes of patients in corridors, and exhausted staff in PPE struggling to cope. I found myself wishing that Ken Loach had made a film on this theme: that would have been far more effective than this clunky treatment.

As is often the case - I simply dont understand the low-scores by Imdb contributors. A score starting with a 5 on here is completely unjustified.

This is - perhaps at first sight - a boring film full of old doddery figures. There are no car chases - no screeching of wheels - no guns in fact or any raised voices threatening anyone with anything. Perhaps whats whats "wrong" here.

Instead there are many threads of peoples varied lives all ending up (as most readers of this will - if they are lucky) in their twilight years under the care of The NHS - their for our first breath and our last.

There is a completely unexpected plot twist near the ending - makes one think "Is this based on a true story" and then you remember the genius of the Writer Alan Bennetts fiction over decades here in the UK.

Its brilliant. Have some curiosity and give it a go.

Maybe TIFF wasn't the best place to launch this very British film based on a play ?

The NHS ( National Health Service) is shown in a microcosm of political and cynical struggles in a small community hospital unit for old people needing special care.

It's very Alan Bennett, although with short but still cutting monologues , some are funnier than others but all serve a purpose.

The geriatric ward is the logical place to highlight the old and decrepit hospital system, fighting for survival at death's door, but there are more metaphors here, the NHS is killing people due to a lack of resources, most notably a shortage of beds, is there even a shortage of carers?.

Jennifer Saunders is great as the head nurse trying her best to keep a 'clean' ward, but working to targets for turnover of patients and moving them through the system comes at a heavy price, closure is imminent and her efficiency is not enough.

The doctor is stereotypical, an Asian immigrant with a nostalgic true vocational outlook to care for his patients with a hands on approach.

The patients are a who's who of British stalwart actors and they are very convincing as geriatrics, each representing the problems within the health care system. One patient's son happens to be a management consultant for the government's health minister and getting a personal experience of the hospital suggests the need for 'government' to understand the real world of this care in the community, rather than just facts and figures on spreadsheets, it's a political statement about how things are failing people by going for large scale centres of excellence?.

As a person with a lot of personal experience of the NHS and getting old too, I can relate to the representation if not actually recognise the geriatric care unit.

The film takes a risky turn or two near the end especially with a plea for support and understanding of the caring people who work in the NHS providing a public service, which is now underappreciated again post pandemic, although ironically with the recent strike action this has probably not helped their case.

This is bound to be a divisive film and some may be disappointed by it's change in tone from comedy to politics, especially if they don't understand the British system or the metaphors about it.

When a small geriatric hospital in Northern England is threatened with closure, the staff and patients rally together to try and save it. There might be a glimmer of hope with this task as the government consultant tasked with the final evaluation - "Colin" (Russell Tovey) has his estranged father " Joe" (David Bradley) in that self same facility. The place is run under the benignly imperious hand of "Sister Gilpin" (Jennifer Saunders) with Bally Gill's "Dr. Valentine" tending to their clinical needs. As you'd expect with Alan Bennett, this comes at you from the left of the political spectrum, and highlights what he sees as the short-termism of fiscally based decision making. To that end, Sir Richard Eyre has assembled a strong cast of formidable character actors to portray the patients. Most notable amongst them, for me, was Julia McKenzie and Bradley is also on great form as the curmudgeonly old gent coming to terms with his predicament and his successful, gay, son. There is plenty of dry humour, observational sarcasm to the fore and Saunders and Gill have quite a nice chemistry between them as they both strive to care for their elderly charges. I can't say that I loved the ending. It is thought provoking, but somehow seemed just a little over-dramatic and unnecessary. That said, though, the ensemble cast reminded me very much "Quartet" (2012) with strong leading characters and familiar faces at every turn helping to highlight the serious (and lighter) issues of the ageing process for both the older folks and for those charged with keeping them well. Not sure it really needs a cinema to enjoy, but it's still well worth ninety minutes.

This is a bleak drama, intermittently comic, set in the geriatric ward of an old hospital in Yorkshire which looks and feels like the one where I had my appendix removed in the 1950s.

Jennifer Saunders is the ward sister, efficiently and briskly coping with everything from assisted showers to incontinence and patient deaths. Judi Dench and Derek Jacobi are among the patients, but the focus is mostly on Joe (David Bradley), a frail old gent hoping to be sent home, and his nerdy son Colin (Russell Tovey, the go-to actor for gay roles), who is on the team planning a new hospital.

The Alan Bennett pedigree guarantees brilliant writing and all the cast do eminent justice to the script, but the tone of the movie is unremittingly glum, largely focused on death and dementia, and the dimly lit hospital adds more gloom. The ending is a bit rushed and not entirely in tune with what's gone before.

This is a dark comedy that is perhaps a bit too dark. Our Mr. Bennett has not lost his touch, but the humor in ALLELUJAH is over-laced with bile and bitterness.

Being UK based and over 60 years old I found this film a little to close to home and therefore so very powerful. It was funny, beautiful and so very sad. It was Alan Bennett all over. Everything was very small and beautifully presented. There was not an ounce of energy wasted, it was all perfectly placed. All the main characters had a tiny vignette which gave them enough of a back story to make them real people. The doctor was from a society that holds dear it's elderly and silently struggles to understand why his patients aren't held in the same high esteem. The film ends with the Doctors monolog praising the people of the NHS and so it should. A political piece, probably but more a piece about our attitudes to the elderly.

Do not get me wrong, the movie has funny bits and pieces, but I do not believe it is meant to be a funny movie. It is more a harsh reflection on healthcare and how we treat our elderly. But for me it did not get too dark, I also enjoyed it very much.

Jennifer Saunders really has grown as an actress I think. We know she can do funny, but in this more serious role she blossoms as well.

However, do you wanna watch because of dame Judy Dench, do not get your hopes up too much. She has a smaller part and for me a bit too small and on the side.

Overall, very well acted. If you are not English I recommend decent subtitles.

There are some plot twists you can see coming a mile off. There are many films where you know a twist is coming, even if you don't know what it'll be. Allelujah is a film where you don't realise there's going to be a twist t all, never mind one so vicious.

Set in a small, crumbling hospital earmarked for closure, and which mostly deals with geriatric patients, Allelujah starts out as a classic Little Guy vs Government Machine story. There's much that is poignant, and much that is comic and there are fine performances throughout, particularly from Jennifer Saunders, David Bradley and Derek Jacobi.

Then, just when the bureaucrat seems set for a big change of heart and the audience senses the feel-good ending, the rug's pulled out from under them completely. It's both devastating and unforgettable.

Dr Valentine's final piece to camera is magnificent, as he says the things that *need* to be said.

Likeable characters emotional film dealing with the problems of old age & the relationships between staff, patients & relatives. Many big names who have aged including a star from the sitcom Desmonds.

Think the Asian doctors accent was over done & the last 5 mins of the film were an unnecessary & spoiled the film for me. No need to end the film in such a way at all.

Russell tovey character was responsible for the advice to close down the ward despite his father being a patient there. Was a bit puzzled by the twist in the film & how it came to light, very simplistic.

Did enjoy the film & for those interested in saving the nhs , who work in care or have elderly relatives , go see this film.

Amateur writing, implausible scenes, not funny, very boring, so ridiculous I wanted to shout at the screen in the cinema, annoying dark lighting - dramatic effect?? It was not funny, interesting, dramatic, it was pointless, whoever made this film needs to find another job! Credit to the actors but what were they thinking after reading that script!! What was the message about the NHS? Def not good!! An insult to hospitals and real NHS staff. And the weird rant at the end - I give up! I asked for my money back and sadly wasted £12, I would rather have lit the fire with my money. What has happened to the film industry!!!!

I thought I was all set for a heart warming feel good film. Very depressing. Tackles the issues of geriatric care and there's no happy ending we all are going to die. Jennifer Saunders is really different to how we usually see her. No make up dowdy and with a northern accent. It didn't surprise me she could transform successfully into a no nonsense matron of a Yorkshire hospital given all of the characters she played in French and Saunders. Judi Dench and Derek Jacobi of course steal the show. The words spoken as a narrative over the film by Dr Valentine had me sobbing into a tissue throughout .

A small hospital, The Bethlehem, affectionately known as The Beth is set to close, another victim of rationalisation, all efforts are made to keep it going.

I was expecting a fluffy, heart warming comedy, something along the lines of The Marigold Hotel, in reality it's a million miles away. The film does have some humorous moments, and some witty one liners, mainly coming from Derek Jacobi, but it takes a serious turn.

That twist, oh my days, I didn't see that coming at all, talk about unexpected.

Jennifer's comedy partner, Dawn French starred in a BBC Screen Two drama some years ago, called Tender Living care, check it out, there are similarities.

It boasts a superb cast, the likes of Derek Jacobi, Judi Dench and David Bradley, they are all wonderful, for me though, it's Jennifer Saunders who stands out, it is a superb performance from her, showing real range.

There's definitely a bit of Tory bashing going on, as you'd expect from Bennett.

Genuinely, I think this is a truly excellent movie.

9/10.

Two contradictory, plus & minus's aspects to this film.

Firstly, a lot of our favourite actors & actresses put in some excellent performances. David Bradley is always good but this was brilliant plus usual expected, excellent performers from Judy Dench and Jennifer Saunders (probably her best). Plus some actors we hadn't seen before namely Bally Gill who is also good. Good script with some comic moments you'd also expect with Alan Bennett's involvement.

But secondly, on the other hand, the clever script had a few unnecessary political overtones which detracted from the main story. The story often was a bit depressing when it didn't have to be. If the scriptwriters had thought and focused more on the funnier aspects and possibilities of the story the film could have been mush more enjoyable.

For people of a certain age who see a hospice as perhaps their next step in life this would certainly not cheer them up! Especially the last 10 minutes.

So concentrate on the funny aspects, feel good messages and final positives of the story. So mixed feelings on coming out.

This film was not what expected and as advertised, the adverts look fun and colourful, although a very poignant subject.

However my friend and I left the cinema feeling really depressed!

Some amazing actors who played the parts extremely well!

It obviously was a very poignant subject but I felt that more humour and comedy should have been included to enjoy the film.

To me the title suggested that there would be a choir involved,that saves the geriatric Ward, which would have made more sense to us and definitely would have been more enjoyable.

My friend wanted to walk out halfway through!

Really disappointed.

This film has lots in its favour, as well as a few unusual quirks.

It's full of the familiar quips and spirited acting you'd expect from the writer and cast - I've always felt that Bennett has probably been an expert on how old people talk since he was a child.

It's not a documentary and I don't think medical verisimilitude was the main priority of the movie. But if you approach it from the point of view of the human beings involved, rather than getting too wrapped up in whether this is a 100% accurate depiction of a current institution, you'll appreciate the film far more.

There's an unsettling twist near the end, and the final 60 seconds consists of a fourth-wall polemic which I thought was magnificent, but if you somehow feel that a movie about the closure of a much-loved medical institution should somehow avoid being "political" then this probably isn't the film for you. Otherwise, strongly recommended - it's warm-hearted but poignant.

I saw this film at the Toronto International Film Festival. I chose it because it was after a British play and I generally have a good opinion of British playwrights. Was I ever wrong! This film should not have made the cut for a TV tear-jerker, let alone an International Film Festival.

Where do i start? It is about a hospital - or is it about an old people's long term care home? Not sure if the film writers know the difference. Not sure if they visited a long term care home. Or talked to someone who works there. Or talked to someone who has a loved one in such an institution. In the film, the main administrator is also the head-nurse and the one who bathes the patients and changes their depends. The other nurse - who seems to also be a PSW - is attending to her charges as if she were Mary Poppins doing her supercalifragilistic singing. In the saddest place on Earth: an old people's home. The doctor is also some sort of cheer-me up do-gooder who LOVES his patients. (I had my father in a Long Term Care Home and I can tell you that this film depiction of such a place is beyond silly and inaccurate) Even some lines in the film would be laughable if they weren't sad: for instance "People who don't love their parents put them in long term care homes". I am sure the guy who wrote this line did not take care 24 h a day of a parent with dementia, incontinence, diabetes and a broken hip.

The story is also fake with the cruel capitalist who becomes a bleeding heart "socialist" and the "public service announcement" towards the end. Even the generous intended message of the film - save the public medical British system and let's take care of our beloved elderly people! - ends up being muddled and confusing while raising the question: should we trust the system?

The acting is below mediocre - but the poor actors did not have a chance with such script.

Why, then, did I give it 2 stars rather than 1 star? Well, it was nice seeing Judy Dench again (doing her best in the role of a ... patient cum detective)

I so wanted to love this film, after all look who's in it, so many names and a wealth of acting history. And it's about the NHS, a nations greatest achievement bar none, currently being dismantled bit by bit by bit. And yet this film misfires on just about every level.

David Bradley's, Judi Dench's and Jenifer Saunders roles are top notch, but Bally Gill's is superb.

But what got me, was almost quarter way through the entire film hits a bump in the road, changes direction, hits you square on in the face and then somehow, looses it's way again and finds the road it was on. What the heck happened there? For me it ruined the film. It should have either stuck with the one or the other

There was plenty of potential here, and the cast to take it into the realms of awards, but sadly I think it will disappear into the margin bin of your local video shop - if they still existed.