Watch Cider with Rosie

Cider with Rosie from 2015 is a British drama film, directed by Philippa Lowthorpe and adapted from the 1959 book of the same name by Laurie Lee. The movie follows the story of Lee's childhood growing up in the rural Cotswolds in the early 20th century. The film is driven by the character of Lee, played by Georgie Smith as a young boy and Timothy Spall as an older version of the author. The narrative is structured around a series of vignettes, each representing a chapter from the book. The film is framed by Lee's return to the village of Slad in Gloucestershire after the Second World War, reminiscing about his past.

As a youngster, Lee grows up in a vivid and colorful world, with an invigorating sense of freedom and playfulness. He comes from a large family, with a father who is often absent and a mother who struggles to cope with the daily demands of raising her brood. Despite this, Lee is surrounded by love and affection from his siblings, neighbors and other relatives.

The film is an evocative portrait of a rural idyll that is caught on the cusp of change. The early scenes are full of rustic charm - stunning landscapes, thatched cottages, and woodlands that offer endless opportunities for a child's imagination. The film effectively captures the hazy, dreamlike quality of childhood, where moments of sheer joy and total boredom can switch at a moment's notice.

Samantha Morton delivers a delicate and nuanced performance as Lee's mother, Annie. She brings a complex emotional range to a character who is often seen as frazzled and exhausted, but always fiercely protective of her children.

The movie also explores the issues that faced rural communities during the early 20th century. The impact of the First World War and the suffragette movement are hinted at, but not explicitly explored. Instead, the film focuses on the tension between the old ways of rural England and the encroaching modernity of the 20th century. This theme is most powerfully captured in the character of Lee's grandmother, played by Annette Crosbie, whose old-world superstitions and storytelling provide a counterpoint to the emerging modernity of the outside world.

The movie is visually stunning - the cinematography is full of widescreen vistas, capturing the beauty of the Gloucestershire landscape in all its glory. The attention to detail is remarkable, and the production design succeeds in creating a world that is credible, yet also magical and wondrous.

The pacing of the film is somewhat languid, which some viewers may find slow-moving. However, this leisurely tempo is fully in keeping with the subject matter, which is about savoring the moment and cherishing the memory.

Overall, Cider with Rosie is a beautifully crafted film that successfully captures the essence of Laurie Lee's much-loved book. The film is a portrait of a vanished world, where childhood innocence is cherished and the complexities of the adult world seem far away. While the movie does not engage in explicit political or social commentary, its subtle exploration of the clash between traditional rural life and the modern world provides a poignant reminder of the importance of cherishing our heritage and roots.

Cider with Rosie is a 2015 comedy with a runtime of 89 hours. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.4.